High cholesterol levels increase risk of heart attack and other vascular diseases. Someone with high cholesterol may benefit from dietary counseling, preferably by a dietitian, along with weight control and exercise. Many will need a lipid-lowering drug in addition. These agents fall into several classes that include statins, fibric acid derivatives, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid (also known as niacin) and the cholesterol absorption inhibitors. These drugs differ in how they work and the degree and type of the lipid they lower.

Physicians usually prescribe a drug based on the underlying lipid abnormality. The most common type of cholesterol problem is a high LDL (low density lipoprotein) which is usually best treated with a statin, of which there are at least four on the market. When a patient cannot tolerate any statin, reasonable options include the use of ezetimibe (trade name Zetia); bile acid sequestrants; fenofibrate, which inhibits liver enzymes; and niacin. Referral to a lipid specialist is also very appropriate in such patients.

High cholesterol found in the blood is dangerous for anyone, but sometimes cholesterol can be found in very low levels in certain people. Cholesterol is too high or too low risk for certain diseases.

Here’s some other facts about cholesterol, as quoted by CNN :

1. High cholesterol can not be inevitable in some people. Sometimes a lot of people who have high cholesterol due to genetic factors. So that high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) are always in unhealthy levels. People who have inherited hyper cholesterol usually 2 gene from each parent.
2. High cholesterol can be seen from the skin. Usually people know that high cholesterol after a doctor’s examination. But high cholesterol can occur in the skin as a reddish-yellowish bumps known as Xanthomas. Its size varies and is usually found in the joints, hands and eyelids.
3. Cholesterol too low can be dangerous. Cholesterol levels are too low is not good for health. Researchers showed that pregnant women tend to lower cholesterol levels gave birth to premature babies, as well as in adults can cause anxiety and depression.
4. Exercise increases good cholesterol. Recent research published in Journal of Lipid Research shows that exercise can increase good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. Sports are not required to be heavy but with only mild exercise.
5. Cholesterol free foods can still produce cholesterol. Cholesterol is usually made in the liver of animals and are only found in various foods derived from animals such as meat, milk and eggs. Sometimes cholesterol obtained from food processing such as by frying or baking.
6. High cholesterol can cause erectile dysfunction. Swedish researchers in 2005 found that men who have cholesterol levels of 270 mg / dL or more had 4.5 times more likely experience erectile dysfunction high.

For that know exactly how you koleterol levels, whether including high or low cholesterol. Apply a healthy lifestyle to avoid health risks that might arise.