High Cholesterol
Understanding cholesterol levels, criteria for needing medication, and lifestyle management. - **Meaning of Cholesterol Levels:** - **Criteria for Needing Medication:** - **Lifestyle Management:**
It's more dangerous because there are no symptoms.
Hyperlipidemia (also known as dyslipidemia) is a condition where there are high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. It often has no symptoms, but if left untreated, it can lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke.
- LDL (bad cholesterol) is a key indicator, and HDL (good cholesterol) and triglycerides should also be considered together.
- You can check for this through blood tests during the national health checkup, so please don't discard your results; review them carefully.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Medication should not be determined solely based on numbers.
Whether or not to take medication (such as statins) is determined by a doctor based on factors including cholesterol levels, age, the presence of diabetes or hypertension, smoking habits, and family history of cardiovascular disease.
- If you already have diabetes or cardiovascular disease, the target levels are much stricter.
- Statins are medications with a long track record of safety. If you experience side effects such as muscle pain, consult your doctor about switching to a different medication; do not stop taking it on your own.
The most effective things in life.
- Reduce saturated fat (fatty meats, butter) and trans fats (some processed foods) - This is more important than avoiding cholesterol-rich foods themselves (such as eggs).
- Engage in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, and quit smoking (the most reliable way to increase HDL).
- If your triglycerides are high, reduce alcohol consumption, sugary drinks, and overeating.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to take cholesterol medication for life once you start taking it?
Most medications require long-term use, but they are not "addictive." If your levels improve through lifestyle changes, your doctor may consider reducing or stopping the medication. The important thing is to avoid stopping the medication on your own.
Should I not eat eggs?
Recent guidelines emphasize reducing the intake of saturated and trans fats rather than focusing solely on cholesterol in food. Eating one egg a day is generally fine for most people. Please consult with your doctor to determine a diet that is appropriate for your individual health condition.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-13)Last checked: 2026년 8월 13일
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