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High cholesterol

Getting tested

Open all pages about High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. Too much of it can cause serious health problems.

High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.

A cholesterol test checks the level of cholesterol in your blood. It usually involves taking blood from either your arm or finger.

You can help lower your cholesterol by eating healthily, getting more exercise, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol.

Some people may need to take medicines such as statins to help lower their cholesterol.

Page last reviewed: 13/07/2022
Next review due: 13/07/2025