Overview
High cholesterol means there is too much of certain fats in the blood, which can slowly build up inside the arteries and narrow them over the years. It causes no symptoms at all, so it is found only on a blood test — yet it is a major driver of heart attacks and strokes, which strike Indians at younger ages. The good news is that it is very manageable with a healthier diet, activity, and, when needed, safe medicines that markedly lower future heart risk.
Symptoms
- No symptoms — found only on a blood test
- Sometimes fatty deposits under the skin or around the eyes in very high levels
- May first show up as a heart attack or stroke if long untreated
- Often occurs with diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure
- A family history of early heart disease is a clue
When to see a doctor
Get your cholesterol checked from your 20s to 30s, or earlier with a family history of early heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Causes
A diet high in fried and fatty foods, inactivity, obesity, smoking, diabetes, and an inherited tendency in some families.