People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually. If your test results aren't within desirable ranges, your doctor might recommend more-frequent measurements.

Your doctor might also suggest more-frequent tests if you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease or other risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins.

This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. There are different types of cholesterol, based on what the lipoprotein carries. They are:. A lipid profile also typically measures triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.

Having a high triglyceride level also can increase your risk of heart disease. Factors you can control — such as inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet — contribute to harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Factors beyond your control might play a role, too. For example, your genetic makeup might make it more difficult for your body to remove LDL cholesterol from your blood or break it down in the liver. Cholesterol levels can also be worsened by some types of medications you may be taking for other health problems, such as:.

If there's too much cholesterol in the blood, the cholesterol and other substances may form deposits called plaque.

Plaque can cause an artery to become narrowed or blocked. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. Plaque and blood clots can reduce blood flow through an artery. High cholesterol can cause a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries atherosclerosis.

These deposits plaques can reduce blood flow through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as:. The same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol can help prevent you from having high cholesterol in the first place.

To help prevent high cholesterol, you can:. Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced.

See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Editors note: This is a first-person account written by Kim Sidlak I was 46 years old when I had a massive heart attack. It was a Wednesday evening, June 4, It was a day I will never forget.

My grandmother and mother both died from heart issues in their early fifties, so I knew heart disease ran in my family. I had read about heart disease in women, eating healthy, staying active, and keeping…. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. More Information Arcus senilis: A sign of high cholesterol? Request an appointment. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

Development of atherosclerosis Enlarge image Close. Development of atherosclerosis If there's too much cholesterol in the blood, the cholesterol and other substances may form deposits called plaque.

Embracing wellness following massive heart attack Editors note: This is a first-person account written by Kim Sidlak I was 46 years old when I had a massive heart attack. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Blood cholesterol.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed March 10, Lipid panel. Lab Tests Online. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Goldman L, et al. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; My cholesterol guide.

American Heart Association. Bonow RO, et al. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Fact sheets and handouts.

Blood Cholesterol Causes and Risk Factors. Language switcher English Español. What raises the risk for unhealthy blood cholesterol levels? Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and dairy products. Lack of physical activity Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol, particularly in women, and raises LDL cholesterol.

Stress may raise levels of certain hormones , such as Corticosteroids. These can cause your body to make more cholesterol. Drinking too much alcohol more than two drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women can raise your total cholesterol level. Family history Family members usually have similar cholesterol levels.

Other medical conditions Many health problems that raise your risk of high blood cholesterol are caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits. Arrhythmia medicines, such as amiodarone Beta-blockers for relieving angina chest pain or treating high blood pressure Chemotherapy medicines used to treat cancer Diuretics such as thiazide to treat high blood pressure Immunosuppressive medicines, such as cyclosporine, to treat inflammatory diseases or to prevent rejection after organ transplant Retinoids to treat acne Steroids, such as prednisone, to treat inflammatory diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis Age Unhealthy levels of cholesterol can affect people of all ages, even young children.

Race or ethnicity Your race or ethnicity may affect your risk of high blood cholesterol. Overall, non-Hispanic white people are more likely than other groups to have high levels of total cholesterol.

However, they are more likely to have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure , obesity , or diabetes, that may overcome the health benefit of higher HDL levels. Sex Between ages 20 and 39, men have a greater risk for high total cholesterol than women.

Can high blood cholesterol be prevented? Book traversal links for Causes and Risk Factors Previous Diagnosis Next Treatment.