What is high cholesterol?

• Coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease)

  This is where the arteries have become clogged up and stiff. The blood can’t flow around the body and back to the heart easily, and blood clots can form. This can lead to chest pain, heart failure, heart attacks and strokes. This is the most common type of heart disease.

• Angina (chest pain)

  This is a dull, heavy or tight pain in the chest which can spread to the left arm, neck, jaw or back. It happens when the arteries leading to the heart have become narrowed and the heart can't get enough blood. The pain is caused by a lack of oxygen. It can be brought on by exercise or activity, as the heart needs more oxygen during physical activity.

• Heart attack

  This is a medical emergency. It happens when an artery leading to the heart becomes completely blocked, often by a blood clot, cutting off the blood supply. Part of the heart muscle quickly dies, but if it’s treated quickly, the blockage can be removed.
  
  If you think you or someone you are with is having a heart attack, call 999 straight away. The signs of a heart attack include:
  • a crushing pain in the chest
  • sweating
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling or being sick
  • feeling weak or faint
  • suddenly feeling very anxious.

• Acute coronary syndrome

  A collective term which includes unstable angina and heart attacks.

• Heart failure

  This is not the same as a heart attack. Heart failure usually happens when the arteries are clogged up and the heart has to work too hard to force blood around the body. To start with, the heart muscle gets bigger to cope with the extra effort, but eventually it becomes too weak and can’t push blood around your body.
  
  It doesn’t mean your heart is about to stop working, but it can cause serious problems, including breathing problems because the blood can’t flow around your lungs easily.

• Stroke

  This is a medical emergency. It happens when an artery in or leading to the brain becomes blocked, cutting off the blood supply. Part of the brain can’t get enough oxygen and dies. This can cause disabilities, but getting treatment straight away can lower the risk of long-term problems.
  
  If you notice the signs of a stroke, in yourself or someone else, call 999 straight away. The signs include:
  • the face droops on one side
  • slurred speech or being unable to talk or smile 
  • weakness in the arms or not being able to lift them.

• Mini strokes (TIAs)

  Blocked blood vessels can also cause mini strokes known as TIAs (transient ischaemic attack). These cause signs of a stroke that are temporary and pass within 24 hours, usually after a few minutes. Mini strokes are a warning sign that you could have a full stroke.
  
  See your doctor straight away if you think you have had a TIA so that you can get treatment and support to prevent a full stroke.

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

  This is when one or more of the arteries leading to the legs and feet become blocked or narrowed, so not enough blood can reach them. This can make your feet feel cold and painful, especially when walking. It can be hard to walk, and the worst-case scenario is that the foot needs to be amputated.

• Vascular dementia

  There are different types of dementia, and vascular dementia is the second most common type. It can cause problems with memory, thinking and talking. It’s caused by problems with the blood supply to the brain – either by a stroke or mini strokes, or because the blood vessels in the brain have become too narrow.

Learn how to manage your blood lipids with help from our panel of experts. Learn about:

• living with familial hypercholesterolaemia
• high cholesterol in children and young people
• genetic testing
• optimal management 
• Lp(a), triglycerides and other blood fat conditions
• managing your risk - what difference you can make.