Cholesterol FAQs

A: It's a waxy, fat-like substance that is present in every cell in your body. Some is needed for your body to function. Your liver produces enough of it for your body. Sometimes it produces too much. Certain foods provide additional cholesterol, which may be more than your body needs.

While some cholesterol in your blood is essential to your health, too much can be harmful. If your level is high, it increases your risk of heart disease.

A: The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) says a desirable total cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL.

A: High cholesterol means you have too much LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol) in your blood. Too much cholesterol in the blood, or high cholesterol, can be serious. People with high cholesterol are at a higher risk of getting heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The following are guidelines for total cholesterol from the American Heart Association:

A: A healthy artery has a smooth, even surface. When too much cholesterol builds up in the wall of your arteries, thick deposits called plaque form.

Plaque buildup narrows the width of an artery. When this happens, your heart must work harder to force blood through it. Plaque can also break off and form clots. When this happens in a major artery supplying the heart or brain, the blood and oxygen flow can be significantly decreased. The result can be a heart attack or stroke.

A: One in 5 people has it. In adults, total levels of 240 mg/dL or above are high. Levels from 200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL are borderline high.

A: It is measured as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (ie, mg/dL). Total cholesterol levels comprise LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and triglyceride (a form of fat) levels.

A: That depends. Experts recommend that all adults over the age of 20 have their cholesterol levels measured at least once every 5 years. The American Heart Association recommends that you have your cholesterol checked more often if:

• Your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more
• You are a man over 45 or a woman over 50
• Your HDL ("good" cholesterol) is less than 40 mg/dL
• You have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke

A: Yes. Before menopause, women usually have total levels lower than those of men the same age. As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age.

In women, menopause often causes an increase in their LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and a decrease in their HDL ("good" cholesterol) levels. And after the age of 50, women often have higher total levels than men of the same age.

A: Smoking increases risk of heart disease. Smoking raises LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and speeds up atherosclerosis.

A: Yes, diabetes is a risk factor. High triglycerides and low HDL ("good" cholesterol) levels are often present in people who have diabetes. These are risk factors for having heart disease.

A: "Stress" refers to the condition resulting from a person's response to physical, chemical, emotional, or environmental factors. It can mean physical effort as well as mental tension. All people feel stress differently and react to it in different ways.

Stress may play a role in raising cholesterol by affecting an individual's habits. Some people deal with it by overeating or eating foods with high fat content or by smoking. Foods rich in saturated fat and cholesterol and smoking can contribute to high cholesterol.

A: Based on the results and your overall risk, your cholesterol should be checked every 1 to 5 years. You and your doctor should discuss a schedule based on your medical history.

A:  The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has booklets for adults and children. To order publications on cholesterol, weight, and physical activity or request a catalog, visit their Web site or write to:

National Cholesterol Education Program
NHLBI Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105