What is high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)?

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood. While the body needs cholesterol to function properly, an excess amount may accumulate over time and subsequently affect blood flow and cardiovascular function.

How do members experience high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)*

*Data from patients with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Lipitor)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (34 evaluations)
Side effects
depressed mood dizziness 3 more
Total evaluations
34
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (94)
Treatment

(Crestor)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (24 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (51)
Treatment

(Zetia)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (4 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (15)
Treatment

(Zocor)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (3 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (9)
Treatment

(Pravachol)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (5 evaluations)
Side effects
flatulence stomach discomfort
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (5)

*Data from patients with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 6
20s 31
30s 251
40s 884
50s 2,801
60s 4,349
70+ 2,864

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 3,596
Female 7,651