What it is
LDL cholesterol is the kind that builds up in the arteries. HDL cholesterol helps carry cholesterol away. Triglycerides are another type of fat measured in the same test.
Diet, weight, activity, smoking and alcohol all play a part, and some people inherit very high levels (familial hypercholesterolaemia). Doctors usually look at cholesterol together with other things, such as blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history, to judge overall heart risk.
Common signs
- There are usually no symptoms
- In inherited forms, yellowish deposits can appear around the eyes or on tendons
- It is usually found with a routine blood test
How it is usually diagnosed
- A lipid profile blood test: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides, sometimes after fasting
- Other blood tests, such as thyroid, kidney and liver function and blood sugar, to look for causes
- A heart risk assessment that combines these results with other factors
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Every lipid profile, so the trend over the years is easy to see
- Liver and muscle tests if you take cholesterol-lowering medicine
- Heart risk assessments
- Family history notes, especially early heart disease in close relatives
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is my overall heart risk, and what makes it up?
- Which result matters most for me, and what target should I aim for?
- How often should my cholesterol be checked?
- Should my family members be tested too?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain or pressure, especially spreading to the arm, neck or jaw
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, or trouble speaking
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.