What can high cholesterol lead to?

Cholesterol travels in the blood. When there is too much of certain cholesterol-containing material, it can collect within artery walls and form plaque. Plaque may narrow the space for blood flow or become unstable and trigger a clot.

Reduced blood flow to the heart may cause angina, while reduced flow to the brain can cause a stroke. Artery narrowing in the legs may cause peripheral arterial disease, with aching during walking, cool skin, or slow-healing foot wounds. High cholesterol often causes no noticeable symptoms before these complications, so a blood test matters.

Arrange a cholesterol test and discuss the full result, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, with a clinician. Your overall risk also depends on factors such as diabetes, smoking, age, family history, and existing artery disease.

Choose more vegetables, beans, fruit, whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats, while reducing foods high in saturated fat. Regular activity, stopping smoking, and reaching a healthy weight can help. Nutrition Counselling can make food changes practical. If lifestyle measures are not enough, a clinician may recommend Statin Therapy.

Call emergency services for pressure or pain in the chest, severe breathlessness, fainting, or sudden sweating with nausea. Seek urgent help for sudden weakness or numbness on one side, facial drooping, new trouble speaking, sudden vision loss, or a severe unexplained headache. These symptoms need immediate assessment whether or not you know your cholesterol level.

Ask which cholesterol result needs attention, what your overall cardiovascular risk is, whether a medicine is appropriate, and when your levels should be checked again. Mention medicines, supplements, family history, and any leg pain or chest symptoms.