What should you know about high HDL and LDL cholesterol?

LDL carries cholesterol into tissues and can contribute to fatty deposits in artery walls when levels and other risk factors make this more likely. HDL helps transport cholesterol towards the liver, but a high HDL value does not cancel the effect of raised LDL or other risks. Clinicians consider the full lipid profile alongside age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, family history and previous vascular disease. High cholesterol usually causes no noticeable symptoms, so a cholesterol test is often the way it is found. The aim is to understand your personal risk of conditions such as angina, stroke or peripheral arterial disease rather than label one result in isolation.

Review the result with a clinician, including whether the sample was non-fasting and whether medicines or an existing condition may affect it. Regular movement, a fibre-rich eating pattern, avoiding smoking and managing weight when appropriate can support cardiovascular health. Nutrition counselling can turn general advice into meals that fit your preferences and medical needs. If your overall risk warrants medication, statin therapy may lower LDL; discuss expected benefits, possible adverse effects and monitoring rather than starting or stopping treatment independently. Repeat testing may be used to assess the response.

Arrange routine follow-up for an unexpected lipid result or a strong family history of early vascular disease. Seek emergency help for chest pressure, severe breathlessness, sudden weakness on one side, new trouble speaking or sudden loss of vision. Those symptoms require urgent assessment regardless of whether you know your cholesterol level.

What do my LDL, HDL and other lipid results mean together? What is my wider cardiovascular risk? Would lifestyle support or statin therapy help? When should testing be repeated?