High cholesterol levels can wreak havoc on many aspects of your personal health. These effects don't take place overnight. It takes years of bad health practices to produce the significant, negative physiological effects of high cholesterol.

Get checked

After age 20, it's important to have your cholesterol measured every five years. This test is called a "lipoprotein profile," and it is done after a 9 to 12 hour fast. (See the resources section for more information about this test.)

Plaque Buildup

When your cholesterol levels are high, chemicals in your body called LDLs will cause the buildup of plaque inside your artery walls, making them narrow and blood flow more difficult.

High Blood Pressure

People with a blood pressure reading of 140/90 have high blood pressure. This is the most common effect of high cholesterol levels.

Heart Disease

This is an example of one of the long-term effects of having high cholesterol. Heart disease occurs when the small blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to your heart become significantly narrow.

Heart Attack and Stroke

Heart disease, caused by high cholesterol, often leads to heart attack or stroke. These conditions can be deadly. If you notice severe chest pain or an irregular heart beat, call your local emergency number immediately.

Solution/Prevention

Luckily the effects of high cholesterol can be sidestepped by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly. In more extreme cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication to help lower your cholesterol levels.

Source:

eMedTV.com: Effects of High Cholesterol

More Information:

National Institutes of Health: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need To Know