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What Does High Cholesterol Mean?

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Simple Answer

High cholesterol means there is too much cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs in small amounts, but too much can stick to the walls of the arteries and narrow or block them. This can raise the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol often has no signs or symptoms, so a blood test is used to check it.

What It Means

This matters because high cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. Over time, that can make it harder for blood to flow normally. In children and teens, it can be linked to diet, family history, obesity, or certain diseases.

When to Contact a Doctor

Talk to a doctor if you want cholesterol checked, especially if there is a family history of high cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke. The source says testing may start as early as age 2 in some children with these risk factors. The timing and how often to test depends on age, risk factors, and family history.

Get Urgent Help If…

The source does not list urgent warning signs for high cholesterol itself. High cholesterol usually does not cause symptoms, so it is often found on a blood test.

Cholesterol tests can include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL, and triglycerides. Healthy ranges can vary by age, sex, lab method, and other factors, so results should be read with a doctor.

Sources

This information is based on these free U.S. government medical sources:

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This service provides general medical information and education. It does not diagnose medical conditions or replace care from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.