Cholesterol Health Center: Medical Information on Cholesterol

Trending Cholesterol Topics

Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.

Cholesterol Levels Pictures Slideshow

Watch this slideshow on Cholesterol levels and find out what it all means. Learn the alphabet soup of cholesterol testing: LDL, HDL, good, bad, and triglycerides. Pictures show tests, treatments, and critical foods from eggs to avocados.

Lowering Cholesterol Pictures Slideshow

Worried about high cholesterol? Watch this slideshow of 15 simple tips that can help you lower cholesterol levels and avoid heart disease.

Triglycerides (Test)

Learn about triglycerides, and the triglyceride test that measures triglyceride blood levels. High triglyceride levels can lead to heart attack, stroke, fatty liver, or pancreatitis.

Cholesterol Drugs

Watch this slideshow to learn cholesterol basics, drug classes, and available drugs along with their benefits and side effects.

Carotid Arteries Disease

View an Illustration of carotid arteries disease and see more medical anatomy and illustrations.

Related Disease Conditions

Cholesterol Management: Lower, Treat, and Prevent High Cholesterol
Cholesterol management may include lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) as well as medications to get your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides in an optimal range. High cholesterol and triglyceride levels increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. Managing and getting your HDL and LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels within normal ranges will lower risk, improve overall health, and help protect your heart and blood vessels.
How to Lower Triglycerides Naturally
Trigylcerides are fatty molecules that travel in the bloodstream. Excess sugar and fat can increase triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are also manufactured in the liver. The body uses triglycerides for energy, but excess triglycerides are a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and obesity. Many lifestyle factors can influence triglyceride levels.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in supporting heart health and overall well-being. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include certain types of fish, walnuts, vegetable oils, and more. Researchers believe that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
What Does a Statin Actually Do?
What are statins? Find out how these cholesterol-lowering medications work, as well as what side effects they may cause.
What Does It Mean to Have Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia is a common issue that affects many people and has serious complications if left untreated. Learn the signs of hyperlipidemia, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
Why Would You Need Plasmapheresis?
Plasmapheresis is a procedure that removes antibodies against the person's own body cells and tissues (autoantibodies) from the blood. Medical professionals may use plasmapheresis to treat neurological or autoimmune diseases, toxins in the blood, and lower cholesterol that hasn't responded to medications or dietary changes.

Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes

Cholesterol & Triglycerides: Surprising Causes of High Cholesterol
You may think high cholesterol is linked to fatty foods and smoking. But some other causes may surprise you: certain coffees, pregnancy, and even some medicines. Find out what might be bumping your LDL levels up.
Cholesterol Drugs: What to Expect With Heart Medication
When diet and exercise aren't enough, should you turn to drugs? Learn cholesterol basics, drug classes, and available drugs along with their benefits and side effects.
Cholesterol Levels: What's Normal and How to Lower High Cholesterol
What do cholesterol numbers mean? LDL, HDL, good, bad, and triglycerides - Get the facts on cholesterol, blood testing, medications, and how to keep your cholesterol in check.
Cholesterol: Foods to Help Lower Bad LDL Cholesterol
When you're working on lowering your LDL ("bad") cholesterol, what you eat matters. WebMD shows you foods that can help.
Cholesterol: High Triglyceride Foods to Avoid
High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease. Lower triglyceride levels and reduce cholesterol by eating foods that promote heart health. Reduce your intake of fat and sugar and do not eat excess calories. Get adequate nutrition by eating fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
High cholesterol can be a dangerous condition. Take the Cholesterol Quiz to understand what high cholesterol means in terms of your health risks.
How to Lower Your Cholesterol & Save Your Heart
Need to lower your cholesterol levels? Use these smart diet tips to quickly and easily lower your blood cholesterol levels. Choose heart-healthy foods to lower cholesterol and improve your heart health.
Picture of Carotid Artery Disease
Also called carotid artery stenosis, the term refers to the narrowing of the carotid arteries. See a picture of Carotid Artery Disease and learn more about the health topic.
Picture of Cholesterol
Cholesterol carried in particles of low density (LDL cholesterol) is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol because elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. See a picture of Cholesterol and learn more about the health topic.
What Are the 10 Worst Foods for Cholesterol?
Do you know the foods that increase cholesterol? Learn the worst and best foods for LDL 'bad' cholesterol. Find out what foods raise triglycerides, like chocolate, cheese, and coconut oil.
What Are Triglycerides? How to Lower Triglyceride Levels
What is a triglyceride? What are high triglycerides? Triglyceride levels need to be kept in check for good health, but you need to know how to lower triglycerides first. Learn the range of normal triglyceride levels, what causes high triglycerides, how to reduce triglycerides and how to avoid elevating triglycerides.