Hypercholesterolemia: what it is, causes and treatment

Hypercholesterolemia is an increase in the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood, that is, an increase in the level of circulating HDL or LDL, causing no signs or symptoms and being identified only through a blood test.

HDL is known as good cholesterol, as it plays a protective role, preventing heart disease and, therefore, the higher the level of circulating HDL, the better. On the other hand, LDL is known as bad cholesterol, as it can accumulate in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack.

Hypercholesterolemia can be caused by diseases that interfere with fat metabolism, unhealthy lifestyle habits or be a genetic change. Regardless of the cause, it is important to adopt healthy habits, such as a low-fat diet and physical activity. Depending on the amount of circulating LDL, the doctor may recommend the use of specific medications.

How the diagnosis is made

Hypercholesterolemia does not cause signs or symptoms and, therefore, can only be identified through laboratory tests. Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia, total cholesterol and fractions, such as HDL and LDL, in the blood must be measured.

Fasting is not necessary to take this test, however some doctors and laboratories recommend fasting for 8 to 12 hours to ensure more accurate results. Therefore, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions.

How to know if your cholesterol is high

To find out if your cholesterol is high, enter the results of your cholesterol test into the calculator below:

It is important to emphasize that the cholesterol calculator is only a guidance tool and is not considered a diagnosis nor does it replace consultation with a general practitioner or cardiologist.

Causes of hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia can occur as a consequence of diseases that can interfere with fat metabolism, such as hypothyroidism, or due to the use of medications or unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a high-fat, high-volume diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

Furthermore, hypercholesterolemia can be a genetic disorder, in which a person has high levels of cholesterol, especially LDL, even with healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

What is familial hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which an elevated level of LDL is observed due to genetic changes related to lipoprotein metabolism. This situation is common to be observed in people from the same family and is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, especially heart attack.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for hypercholesterolemia must be guided by a cardiologist and involves measures that help regulate cholesterol levels, keeping LDL levels lower and HDL levels higher.

Therefore, it is important to have a light diet low in saturated fat, as it is related to an increase in the concentration of circulating LDL cholesterol. Saturated fats can be found in sausages, processed foods, fried foods, oils, alcoholic beverages and yellow cheeses, for example. Furthermore, it is recommended to increase your consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole foods, as they are rich in fiber, which helps regulate cholesterol. See more details on nutrition for high cholesterol.

It is also important that the person practices physical activity regularly, as it helps to keep the metabolism active and, thus, favor the process of eliminating fat from the body.

In some cases, depending on cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease, the doctor may recommend the use of medications, such as statins or fibrates, to reduce the concentration of circulating LDL, mainly. Learn more about remedies for high cholesterol.