Key facts
- High cholesterol usually causes no noticeable symptoms.
- A lipid profile measures different fats in the blood, including LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
- Cholesterol results are interpreted together with other cardiovascular risk factors.
- One cholesterol number does not describe a person's overall heart and metabolic risk.
- High cholesterol commonly overlaps with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease.
Signs and symptoms
High cholesterol usually does not cause noticeable symptoms.
Most people only discover abnormal cholesterol levels through a blood test. Symptoms such as palpitations or chest discomfort should not be used to judge whether cholesterol is high and may need separate clinical assessment.
Risk factors
A family history of high cholesterol or early cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes or other metabolic health problems
High blood pressure
Increased body weight or other metabolic risk factors
Diet and lifestyle patterns that contribute to abnormal blood fats
Common causes
High cholesterol can result from a combination of inherited tendency, metabolic health and lifestyle factors. Some people have abnormal cholesterol despite feeling well, while conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease may occur alongside dyslipidaemia.
How it is checked
High cholesterol is assessed with a blood test called a lipid profile. This usually includes LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The results are interpreted together with factors such as blood pressure, blood glucose, medical history and overall cardiovascular risk rather than from one cholesterol value alone.
Assessment and investigations
Lipid Profile
A lipid profile measures cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, including LDL and HDL, and is the main blood test used when assessing dyslipidaemia.
Apolipoprotein B
Apolipoprotein B, or ApoB, is an additional lipid-related marker that may provide further information about the number of cholesterol-carrying particles associated with cardiovascular risk.
HbA1c
HbA1c may be considered as part of a broader metabolic health assessment because abnormal cholesterol can occur alongside diabetes and other metabolic risk factors.
When to see a doctor
Consider speaking with a doctor if a blood test shows high cholesterol or abnormal triglycerides, if you have several cardiovascular risk factors, or if you have a strong family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease and want help understanding your results.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have high cholesterol without symptoms?
Yes. High cholesterol usually causes no noticeable symptoms, so a blood test such as a lipid profile is needed to know whether cholesterol or triglyceride levels are abnormal.
What is a lipid profile?
A lipid profile is a blood test that measures different fats in the blood, commonly including LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
What is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?
LDL and HDL carry cholesterol in different ways and provide different information about cardiovascular risk. Your results should be interpreted together rather than judging heart health from one value alone.
Does high cholesterol mean I will develop heart disease?
No. High cholesterol is one cardiovascular risk factor, but overall risk also depends on factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, age and other health information.