Cholesterol (High Blood Lipids) and Heart Disease in Women

Have you had your cholesterol levels checked recently? According to the American Heart Association, adults 19 and older should have their cholesterol tested at least every 5 years. Cholesterol is one important part of understanding your overall risk for heart disease and stroke. All it takes is a simple blood test to find out if you have high cholesterol.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found throughout your body. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs for important jobs, such as helping to build cells and to make certain hormones. When cholesterol is too high, it can put you at a higher risk of heart disease or stroke.

Cholesterol can join with other substances to form a thick, hard deposit inside your arteries. Over time, this buildup can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis.

Your cholesterol level can be high depending on what you eat, such as foods high in saturated fats, and, in some cases, your family's health history.

There are two types: LDL and HDL. It is helpful to understand the difference and know the levels of each in your blood. Too much of one type, or not enough of another, can put you at risk.

• LDL (bad) cholesterol (LDL-C): LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in arteries. Over time, this can narrow the arteries and increase the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease, or PAD.
  
  

  What does my LDL number mean (PDF)? For women, LDL numbers can start to rise during menopause.

• HDL (good) cholesterol (HDL-C): HDL cholesterol earns its “good” reputation because higher levels may help protect against heart attack and stroke. HDL works by carrying LDL cholesterol away from artery walls and back to your liver, where it can be broken down and removed from the body.

Other factors:

Triglycerides: This is the most common form of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet. When triglyceride levels rise, they can contribute to cholesterol buildup. To reduce triglycerides, become more physically active, stop smoking, limit or avoid alcohol and reduce simple carbohydrates.

Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a): Lp(a) is a cholesterol carrying lipoprotein in the blood. Levels are mostly inherited, and when they are high, they can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Every adult should get tested for Lp(a), at least once in their lifetime.

Pregnancy and menopause can change these levels. When Lp(a) levels are up, this may promote clotting and inflammation, increasing risk of heart attack and stroke.

What can you do?

• Get your cholesterol checked and know your family history.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle that includes Life’s Essential 8 for Women.
• Have your Lp(a) level checked at least once in your lifetime.

Your heart is in your hands, as cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. By working together, you and your health care professional can discuss the best screenings for you. Learn more about cholesterol and the prevention and treatment of high cholesterol.