Cholesterol - HEART UK

Find out about cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a blood fat which plays a vital role in how all of our cells work. It's also needed to make Vitamin D, hormones which keep your bones strong, and helps with digestion.

What is high cholesterol?

Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to diseases of the heart and blood vessels. High cholesterol can be caused by lifestyle but can also be inherited, and most people don’t know they have it.

Anyone can have high cholesterol, even if you’re young, slim and otherwise healthy. You can’t feel it, so the only way to find out is to get a cholesterol check at your GP surgery or local pharmacist.

Some people will need treatments to manage their cholesterol

There are different types of medicines and treatments available to help you manage the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your blood.

Statins are the most widely used medicine, but there are other types too. They all tend to work best when you eat well and keep active.

You might be referred to a lipid clinic where experts in blood fats can find the best treatment for you.

Learn more about treatments

Find specialist services on our interactive lipid clinic map

Lipid clinic map

There are many different conditions related to high cholesterol and blood fats

We have lots of free booklets and factsheets that you can download

Booklets and factsheets

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most common inherited condition

FH is an inherited condition which means that it’s passed through your family. It’s caused by a problem with one or more of your genes.

What is FH?

FH is an inherited condition which leads to exceptionally high cholesterol levels, often double and sometimes four times those of the general population.

Diagnosing FH

Your doctor can test you for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH). Diagnosis is important as treatment is more effective the sooner it is started.

Genetic testing

A genetic test looks at your genes to confirm if you have FH and what the best treatments are. It can also help find others in your family with FH.

You can also email the Cholesterol Helpline

email ask@heartuk.org.uk

FH can affect the whole family

FH is an inherited condition, which means that parents can pass the gene on to their children. It’s natural to feel worried and have lots of questions and we have lots of information on how to live a healthy life.