High Cholesterol: What It Is, How It Affects You, and What You Can Do

When doctors talk about high cholesterol, a condition where too much fatty substance builds up in your blood, increasing your risk of heart problems. Also known as hyperlipidemia, it doesn’t cause symptoms—but it’s one of the leading reasons people end up in the hospital with a heart attack or stroke. Your body needs some cholesterol to build cells and make hormones, but too much of the wrong kind—especially LDL cholesterol, the type that sticks to artery walls and causes blockages—is where the danger starts.

Statins, a class of drugs that lower LDL by blocking cholesterol production in the liver are the most common treatment. But they’re not magic pills. Some people get muscle pain, others don’t respond well, and genetics can play a big role in how your body handles them. That’s why triglycerides, another type of fat in your blood that spikes with sugar and alcohol intake matter just as much. High triglycerides often come with low HDL (the "good" cholesterol), and together, they create a dangerous combo that increases heart disease risk even if your LDL looks okay.

What causes high cholesterol isn’t just diet. Yes, eating too much saturated fat doesn’t help, but stress, lack of sleep, genetics, and even certain medications can push levels up. Weight loss, even just 5-10% of your body weight, can drop LDL by 15% and raise HDL. Exercise doesn’t have to be intense—30 minutes of walking most days helps. And if you’re on a statin, muscle pain shouldn’t be ignored. It could be a sign you need a different drug, or a genetic test to see if your body processes it poorly.

You’ll find posts here that dig into real-world side effects of cholesterol meds, how liver health changes how your body handles them, and how mineral supplements like calcium can interfere with absorption. There’s also info on how to spot fake pills, report bad reactions to the FDA, and understand why some people respond to statins while others don’t. This isn’t about scare tactics. It’s about giving you clear, practical knowledge so you can talk to your doctor with confidence—and make choices that actually work for your body.