Why does liver over produce cholesterol

However, it is also true that people who are thin can have elevated levels. People who have very sedentary lifestyles may also be at a higher risk. Finally, there are certain genetic disorders eg, familial hypercholesterolemia that can predispose people to have higher cholesterol levels, regardless of their weight.

It is also important to keep in mind that as people get older, cholesterol levels tend to rise. This is why the American Heart Association recommends that starting at age 20, everyone should get tested for cholesterol and other risk factors about every 4 to 6 years. Misconception 4: Everyone who takes a statin for high cholesterol treatment experiences muscle pain.

I often hear people talking about not wanting to take a statin to treat their high cholesterol levels out of fear of experiencing muscle pain or cramping as possible adverse effects. Additionally, these are often reasons for patients who have already been prescribed a statin to stop taking it.

It is true that some people who take a statin may experience muscle pain but certainly not everyone. Finally, there is some evidence that people who exercise regularly before taking statins are less likely to suffer from muscle pain and cramping. Four Common Cholesterol Misconceptions. December 22, Timothy O'Shea, PharmD. Misconception 1: All types of cholesterol are the same.

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Sign Up. Close Thanks for visiting. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol can be inherited, but it's often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which make it preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute NHLBI , a person's first cholesterol screening should occur between the ages of 9 and 11, and then be repeated every five years after that.

The NHLBI recommends that cholesterol screenings occur every one to two years for men ages 45 to 65 and for women ages 55 to People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually. If your test results aren't within desirable ranges, your doctor might recommend more-frequent measurements. Your doctor might also suggest more-frequent tests if you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease or other risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. There are different types of cholesterol, based on what the lipoprotein carries. They are:. A lipid profile also typically measures triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Having a high triglyceride level also can increase your risk of heart disease.

Factors you can control — such as inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet — contribute to harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Factors beyond your control might play a role, too. For example, your genetic makeup might make it more difficult for your body to remove LDL cholesterol from your blood or break it down in the liver. Cholesterol levels can also be worsened by some types of medications you may be taking for other health problems, such as:.

If you have too many cholesterol particles in your blood, cholesterol may accumulate on your artery walls. Eventually, deposits called plaques may form. The deposits may narrow — or block — your arteries. These plaques can also burst, causing a blood clot to form.