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, raising your risk for heart attacks and strokes. Also known as hyperlipidemia, it doesn’t cause symptoms—but it quietly damages your arteries over time. Many people think it’s just about eating too much fat, but the truth is more complex. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol in your body, and genetics, inactivity, and even stress can push levels up—even if you eat clean.

LDL cholesterol, often called "bad" cholesterol because it sticks to artery walls and forms plaque is the real target. When LDL climbs above 130 mg/dL, your risk starts rising. On the flip side, HDL cholesterol, the "good" kind that pulls excess cholesterol out of your arteries should stay above 60 mg/dL. Low HDL is just as dangerous as high LDL. And then there are the drugs—statins, a class of medications that block cholesterol production in the liver and have been proven to cut heart attack risk by up to 30%. But they’re not the only option. Some people respond better to diet changes, fiber supplements, or newer drugs like PCSK9 inhibitors.

High cholesterol doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s tied to other conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems. That’s why so many of the posts here connect cholesterol to medications like amlodipine, SGLT2 inhibitors, and diuretics—because treating one issue often affects another. You might be on a blood pressure pill that helps your heart but could affect your ears. Or taking a diabetes drug that protects your kidneys while lowering your cholesterol too. It’s all linked.

What you’ll find below aren’t just generic tips about eating oats or walking more. These are real, practical stories and comparisons from people managing high cholesterol alongside other health issues. You’ll see how drugs interact, what side effects to watch for, and what actually works when the usual advice falls short. Whether you’re wondering if your statin is causing muscle pain, if your diet is doing enough, or if there’s a better alternative out there—this collection gives you the no-fluff answers you need.