Dear Mayo Clinic: I am in my 30s and overweight, but I thought I was too young to worry about cholesterol. I just learned my cholesterol is high. I know diet and exercise are important.
Do I need medication? A: Cholesterol is a type of fat in our blood. Our bodies need a small amount of cholesterol to build the structure of cell membranes, make certain hormones and help with metabolism, such as producing vitamin D. The catch: We don’t need too much cholesterol.
Atherosclerosis, also known as narrowing of the arteries, happens when cholesterol builds up and blocks blood flow. This buildup is called plaque, which can clog arteries and can burst, leading to a blood clot. Atherosclerosis can cause heart problems such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack.
It also can lead to problems in the brain, including transient ischemic attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease in the legs or arms, and even kidney failure. Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of lipids. They travel in our blood by attaching to proteins.
Adults 20 and older should ask their healthcare team about their lipid profile and how to interpret the numbers. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: We call LDL “bad” cholesterol. Below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) is optimal for healthy people in the absence of coronary artery disease.
If you have heart disease, your LDL should be below 70 mg/dl. Treatment decisions to reach appropriate levels need to be based on personal risk factors. High-density .