Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that’s found throughout your body. You need a certain amount of cholesterol to help build healthy cells. But, having too much cholesterol can increase your risk of developing heart disease.

High cholesterol doesn’t have symptoms. The only way to find out if you have elevated cholesterol levels is with a blood test, which is part of a regular checkup with your internist or family medicine doctor. You increase your risk of developing high cholesterol if you have risk factors such as:

• Diabetes
• Diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
• Large waist circumference (at least 40 inches in men, or at least 35 inches in women)
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)
• Smoking

Tests

Blood Test
Your doctor uses a blood test to check the level of cholesterol in your blood.

Treatments

Lifestyle Changes
Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce your cholesterol level, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and eating healthier.

Medications
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your cholesterol level, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-reducing medicine.

Why Choose UHealth?

World-class care in an academic health center. We’re a research and teaching institution, so you have access to the latest treatments — including promising new therapies through clinical trials. We treat adults with proven, leading-edge approaches based on innovative research at the Miller School of Medicine. Our doctors, residents, nurses, and therapists work together to improve health and wellness.

Access to top-notch specialty providers. Our comprehensive health system puts you in the skilled hands of a highly trained group of health care professionals, including 1,200 of the nation’s top doctors in more than 100 specialties. We use a patient-centered approach that prioritizes your health care preferences.

Commitment to prevention and health maintenance. We focus on more than the treatment of particular health conditions. We help you maintain optimal health and prevent chronic illness. By seeing your doctor regularly, you can lower your risk of developing health conditions that affect your quality of life.