Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid). It’s needed for many body functions and made by your body. It also comes from food you eat (meat and dairy products). High cholesterol means that you have too much LDL cholesterol or “bad” cholesterol in your blood. LDL cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol because it can lead to the buildup of fat in the artery walls of your heart. This can increase your risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, and stroke.

HDL cholesterol can be thought of as the “good” cholesterol because a healthy level may help protect against heart attack and stroke. Good cholesterol helps clear out the cholesterol your body doesn’t need.

What causes it?

Doctors can’t usually say for sure what may cause high cholesterol. But many things can make it more likely, such as:

  • Having family who have or had high cholesterol
  • Eating too much food that has saturated fat, like:

    • Red meat
    • Process meat like bacon or hot dogs
    • Full-fat dairy
    • Organ meats like liver
What are the symptoms?

High cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms in most people. That’s why it’s important to get a routine blood test to get checked. A blood test is the only way to know your cholesterol levels.

How is high cholesterol treated?

The goal of treatment is to reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The two main types of treatment for high cholesterol are medicine and a heart-healthy lifestyle.

A heart-healthy lifestyle includes:

Medicines

Some people may need to take medicines called statins along with having a healthy lifestyle. Statins can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Sometimes other medicines are also used. Talk with your PCP about what kind of treatment is right for you.

*Your primary care provider (PCP) is your main doctor or healthcare provider who helps you stay healthy and handles your care.

More Help from SFHP

  • Customer Service: If you need help or have questions, call SFHP Customer Service at 1(415) 547-7800, 1(800) 288-5555 (toll-free), or 711 (TTY), Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm.
  • Interpreter Services: You can get an interpreter in-person or by phone for your health visits. When you make an appointment, ask for an interpreter at the same time.
  • Need a Ride? SFHP can help you get transportation to any medical appointment covered by Medi-Cal. Ask your provider or call Customer Service.
  • Interested in Medi-Cal Benefits? See if you or your family can get Medi-Cal through SFHP.

Learn more about your covered Medi-Cal benefits and services.