High cholesterol is also called hypercholesterolemia. It is a common condition resulting either from a primary abnormality in lipid metabolism or a secondary manifestation of some other condition.
The three primary causes of high cholesterol are familial combined hyperlipidemia, remnant hyperlipidemia and familial hypercholesterolemia. Some of the secondary causes include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes mellitus
- Thiazide
- ?-adrenoceptor antagonists
- Alcohol excess
- Hypothyroidism
- Chronic cholestasis
- Nephritic syndrome
- Chronic renal failure
There are five different classifications of high cholesterol: familial hypercholesterolemia, familial combine hyperlipidemia, remnant (type III) hyperlipidemia, plurimetabolic syndrome (metabolic syndrome, syndrome X) and hyperalphalipoproteinaemia.
High cholesterol is one of the modifiable risk factors for congestive heart disease. When treated properly, the risks of congestive heart disease are considerably reduced.