There are no symptoms associated with high cholesterol. Many people with this condition do not know they have it. Diagnosis usually occurs after a routine blood test known as a lipid panel.
HEALTH CONDITION
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a medical condition characterized by a higher than normal concentration of fats in the blood. These fats are produced naturally by the liver but can also be ingested in the foods we eat. Cholesterol is necessary for the production of hormones and the normal function of cell membranes. When cholesterol is too abundant in the blood, it can accumulate on the inside of blood vessels and reduce blood flow. People with high cholesterol are at an increased risk of stroke and heart disease.
Symptoms
Causes
Multiple genetic abnormalities along with habits related to diet and exercise can contribute to high cholesterol. Diets high in fat and saturated fat can be associated with this condition.
Treatment
Treatment of high cholesterol can reduce the risk of future problems. This can consist of diet, exercise and prescription medications. Several different types of medications treat this condition. Some of these medications include statins, fibrates, and ezetimibe.
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Most common medications
- Prescription required
Aurobindo SIMVASTATIN 20 MG TABLET (1 Tablet)
Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
BluePoint Labs LOVASTATIN 40 MG TABLET (1 Tablet)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Ascend Labs EZETIMIBE 10 MG TABLET (1 Tablet)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Northstar GEMFIBROZIL 600 MG TABLET (1 Tablet)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Apotex OMEGA-3 ACID ETHYL ESTERS (LOVAZA) 1 GM SOFTGEL CAPSULE (1 Capsule)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Hikma Pharma ICOSAPENT ETHYL 1 GM CAPSULE (1 Capsule)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Sun Pharma NIACIN (RX) 500 MG EXTENDED RELEASE TABLET (1 Tablet)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Amgen REPATHA SURECLICK 140 MG/ML AUTO-INJECTOR (Box, 2 Milliliter)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Impax Generics COLESEVELAM 625 MG TABLET (1 Tablet)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
Greenstone COLESTIPOL 1 GM TABLET (1 Tablet)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible - Prescription required
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS INC. PRALUENT 75 MG/ML PEN INJECTOR (Box, 2 Milliliter)Free DeliveryFSA or HSA eligible
Frequently asked questions
What is high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)?
Hyperlipidemia is the medical term for having too much lipids (fats) in the blood. Too much blood fats can cause plaques to form inside of blood vessels. These plaques can sometimes block all or some of the blood flow in the vessels. People with this problem have a higher chance of having a heart attack and stroke over time.
Click here to check out Amazon Clinic's high cholesterol medication renewal system. This allows you to easily get your high cholesterol prescription renewed if it has expired.
Click here to check out Amazon Clinic's high cholesterol medication renewal system. This allows you to easily get your high cholesterol prescription renewed if it has expired.
What causes high cholesterol?
High cholesterol can be caused by a variety of factors:
• Diet - Eating foods high in saturated fats and trans fats can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Foods to limit include fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, baked goods, fried foods, and tropical oils like coconut and palm oils.
• Weight - Being overweight or obese tends to increase your LDL cholesterol levels.
• Physical inactivity - Lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and higher LDL cholesterol levels.
• Smoking - Smoking damages blood vessels and can lower your HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Genetics/family history - Some people inherit genes from their parents that cause high cholesterol.
• Medical conditions - Diseases like type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypothyroidism can increase cholesterol levels.
• Medications - Certain drugs like steroids, birth control pills, and some blood pressure medications may raise cholesterol as a side effect.
• Weight - Being overweight or obese tends to increase your LDL cholesterol levels.
• Physical inactivity - Lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and higher LDL cholesterol levels.
• Smoking - Smoking damages blood vessels and can lower your HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Genetics/family history - Some people inherit genes from their parents that cause high cholesterol.
• Medical conditions - Diseases like type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypothyroidism can increase cholesterol levels.
• Medications - Certain drugs like steroids, birth control pills, and some blood pressure medications may raise cholesterol as a side effect.
The most common causes are dietary factors and being overweight. Try to limit saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars in your diet and aim for a healthy body weight to help keep your cholesterol in check.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
Some common symptoms of high cholesterol include:
• No symptoms. Many people with high cholesterol have no signs or symptoms.
• Yellowish fatty deposits called xanthomas that develop under the skin, usually around the eyelids.
• Whitish-gray ring around the cornea (arcus senilis) caused by cholesterol buildup.
• Chest pain (angina) or other signs of coronary artery disease.
• Yellowish fatty deposits called xanthomas that develop under the skin, usually around the eyelids.
• Whitish-gray ring around the cornea (arcus senilis) caused by cholesterol buildup.
• Chest pain (angina) or other signs of coronary artery disease.
However, high cholesterol levels usually don't produce obvious symptoms. That's why it's important to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly through blood tests. Detecting and treating high cholesterol early on can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
What are healthy cholesterol levels?
Here are the healthy cholesterol levels to aim for:
• Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL is considered desirable, 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high, and 240 mg/dL and above is considered high.
• LDL (bad) cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL is considered optimal, 100-129 mg/dL is near optimal, 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high, 160-189 mg/dL is high, and 190 mg/dL and above is very high.
• HDL (good) cholesterol: 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease, while less than 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease.
• LDL (bad) cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL is considered optimal, 100-129 mg/dL is near optimal, 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high, 160-189 mg/dL is high, and 190 mg/dL and above is very high.
• HDL (good) cholesterol: 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease, while less than 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease.
What is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?
The main difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol is that LDL is considered "bad" cholesterol, while HDL is considered "good" cholesterol. Here's a quick breakdown:
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: This is the "bad" type of cholesterol that can build up on the walls of your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. A high LDL level is considered unhealthy.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: This is the "good" type of cholesterol that carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver so it doesn't build up in your arteries. A higher HDL level is considered healthy.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: This is the "good" type of cholesterol that carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver so it doesn't build up in your arteries. A higher HDL level is considered healthy.
How can I raise my good HDL cholesterol?
Here are some tips that may help raise your HDL (good) cholesterol level:
• Lose weight if needed. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can help boost HDL levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about healthy ways to lose weight.
• Exercise more. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming are great exercise options.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol.
• Eat more healthy fats like those found in olive oil, avocados, nuts and fish. These foods help raise HDL.
• Limit foods with trans fats or saturated fats. These unhealthy fats can lower HDL. Examples are fried and processed foods, fatty meats, butter and full fat dairy products.
• Drink alcohol in moderation. Too much alcohol can damage the liver and lead to serious health problems. Moderate alcohol intake may help raise HDL for some people. Talk with your healthcare provider about what amount of alcohol may be safe for you.
• Exercise more. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming are great exercise options.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol.
• Eat more healthy fats like those found in olive oil, avocados, nuts and fish. These foods help raise HDL.
• Limit foods with trans fats or saturated fats. These unhealthy fats can lower HDL. Examples are fried and processed foods, fatty meats, butter and full fat dairy products.
• Drink alcohol in moderation. Too much alcohol can damage the liver and lead to serious health problems. Moderate alcohol intake may help raise HDL for some people. Talk with your healthcare provider about what amount of alcohol may be safe for you.
In addition to lifestyle changes, some people may need cholesterol medicine to help raise their HDL level. Talk to your healthcare provider about your HDL goals and the treatment options that are right for you.
How do you lower LDL cholesterol?
Here are some tips to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol:
• Eat a diet low in saturated fats and trans fats. Choose healthy fats like those found in avocado, olive oil, nuts, and fish.
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are naturally low in bad fats.
• Limit red meat and full-fat dairy products, which are higher in saturated fats.
• Exercise regularly. Getting 30-60 minutes of exercise most days can help raise good (HDL) cholesterol.
• Aim to lose weight if overweight. Losing just 5-10 pounds can help improve cholesterol levels.
• If lifestyle changes aren't enough, cholesterol lowering medications like atorvastatin or simvastatin may be needed.
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are naturally low in bad fats.
• Limit red meat and full-fat dairy products, which are higher in saturated fats.
• Exercise regularly. Getting 30-60 minutes of exercise most days can help raise good (HDL) cholesterol.
• Aim to lose weight if overweight. Losing just 5-10 pounds can help improve cholesterol levels.
• If lifestyle changes aren't enough, cholesterol lowering medications like atorvastatin or simvastatin may be needed.
Taking steps to lower LDL cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Checking with your healthcare provider to determine your target LDL goal is important.
Can high cholesterol be cured?
High cholesterol often can't be cured completely, but there are many things you can do to manage and lower your cholesterol levels
• Eat a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins.
• Exercise regularly with both aerobic activity and strength training.
• If diet and exercise aren't enough, cholesterol-lowering medications like statins can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Common options include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).
• For very high triglycerides, medications like fibrates and niacin can help.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake, as these can negatively impact cholesterol levels.
• Exercise regularly with both aerobic activity and strength training.
• If diet and exercise aren't enough, cholesterol-lowering medications like statins can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Common options include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).
• For very high triglycerides, medications like fibrates and niacin can help.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake, as these can negatively impact cholesterol levels.
While high cholesterol requires lifelong management for most people, making lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
To learn more, you can check out Amazon Clinic's high cholesterol medication renewal service. This allows you to easily get your high cholesterol prescription renewed if it has expired.
To learn more, you can check out Amazon Clinic's high cholesterol medication renewal service. This allows you to easily get your high cholesterol prescription renewed if it has expired.
What foods help lower high cholesterol?
Here are some tips on foods that can help lower high cholesterol:
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are naturally low in saturated fats and contain fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels.
• Choose whole grains and high-fiber foods like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, and beans. Fiber helps remove cholesterol from the body.
• Eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, mackerel, and herring. Omega-3s reduce inflammation and lower triglycerides.
• Use olive oil and other plant-based oils like canola or sunflower oil in cooking instead of butter, lard, or other animal fats.
• Limit red meat and avoid processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats which are high in saturated fats.
• Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products to limit saturated fats.
• Reduce foods with trans fats like fried foods, baked goods, and margarine spreads.
• Choose whole grains and high-fiber foods like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, and beans. Fiber helps remove cholesterol from the body.
• Eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, mackerel, and herring. Omega-3s reduce inflammation and lower triglycerides.
• Use olive oil and other plant-based oils like canola or sunflower oil in cooking instead of butter, lard, or other animal fats.
• Limit red meat and avoid processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats which are high in saturated fats.
• Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products to limit saturated fats.
• Reduce foods with trans fats like fried foods, baked goods, and margarine spreads.
Following a balanced diet focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, beans, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Limiting saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol rich foods is also important. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist for personalized diet advice.
What foods should you avoid with high cholesterol?
Here are some tips on foods to avoid if you have high cholesterol:
• Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrition foods like soft drinks, candy, cookies and desserts.
• Avoid foods high in saturated fat, trans-fat and cholesterol. Examples are fried fast foods, butter, donuts, and pizza.
• Avoid pre-packaged, processed, and fast foods. They often contain a lot of salt, fat, and calories
• Avoid foods high in saturated fat, trans-fat and cholesterol. Examples are fried fast foods, butter, donuts, and pizza.
• Avoid pre-packaged, processed, and fast foods. They often contain a lot of salt, fat, and calories
Eating healthy can help lower your cholesterol. Try to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and nuts. Limit saturated fats, trans fats, salt and added sugars.
What medications treat high cholesterol?
Some commonly prescribed medications to treat high cholesterol include:
• Statins: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Ezetimibe (Zetia)
• Fibrates: Fenofibrate (Tricor, Fenoglide), Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• Niacin (Niacor)
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements like Icosapent Ethyl (Vascepa) and Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters (Lovaza)
• Ezetimibe (Zetia)
• Fibrates: Fenofibrate (Tricor, Fenoglide), Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• Niacin (Niacor)
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements like Icosapent Ethyl (Vascepa) and Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters (Lovaza)
If your prescription for one of these high cholesterol medications has expired, you may be eligible to get it renewed through Amazon Clinic.
