High cholesterol is, unfortunately, very common.
The British charity Heart UK estimates that nearly half of all adults in England have above-average cholesterol levels, while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 10 Americans – that’s 34 million people – have cholesterol levels exceeding the high-mark of 240mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre).
These people are all at high risk for heart attacks and might not even know it.
High cholesterol doesn’t come with any obvious symptoms and, unless a person has recently had their blood tested or experienced a medical issue, it’s likely that the cholesterol in their blood is a mystery to them.
If you're worried about your levels, it's a good idea to have a chat with your doctor. If there's cause for concern, they may recommend a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin.
