Overview Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. But high levels of cholesterol can raise the risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, fats and other substances can build up in blood vessels called arteries. This buildup is called plaque. As more plaque forms over time, the arteries can become narrowed or clogged. That makes ...
These tests help check the medicine's effect on your liver. Children and cholesterol treatment Most often, making changes to diet and exercise is the first treatment for children age 2 and older who have high cholesterol. Children age 10 and older who have very high cholesterol levels might be prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins.
Do you have high cholesterol? Learn why it's important to know your cholesterol numbers. More from Mayo Clinic.
Can a bowl of oatmeal help lower your cholesterol? How about a handful of almonds? A few simple tweaks to your diet — along with exercise and other heart-healthy habits — might help you lower your cholesterol. Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your ...
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream. A higher level of HDL cholesterol is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that's in every cell in the body. At healthy levels, cholesterol does useful work. This includes helping the body's cells work as they ...
High cholesterol raises your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Medicines can help improve your cholesterol. But if you'd rather start with some healthy lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol, try these five things. If you already take cholesterol medicines, these healthy changes can boost the effect of your treatment and support better heart health.