High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

See more

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.

Common symptoms reported by people with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Individual Therapy Relaxation Techniques
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Modafinil Armodafinil
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Tramadol Ibuprofen
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Clonazepam Alprazolam Lorazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Duloxetine Sertraline Venlafaxine
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.
Last updated:

Treatments taken by people with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Lipitor)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
95
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (95)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
28
Tried for
pain (23) anxious mood (4)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Crestor)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
28
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (28)
Treatment name(s)

(Zocor)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
28
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (28)
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
26
Tried for
anxious mood (26)
Treatment name(s)

(Pravachol)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
22
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (22)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
20
Tried for
depressed mood (17) pain (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Norco)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
20
Tried for
pain (20)
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
19
Tried for
depressed mood (18) anxious mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
17
Tried for
anxious mood (17)
Data from patients with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Compare treatments taken by people with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Lipitor)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (48 evaluations)
Side effects
muscle pain charley horses in calves 5 more
Total evaluations
59
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (95)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (42 evaluations)
Side effects
dry mouth vertigo 12 more
Total evaluations
52
Tried for
pain (23) anxious mood (4)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Crestor)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (26 evaluations)
Side effects
bad mood
Total evaluations
29
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (28)
Treatment name(s)

(Zocor)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (17 evaluations)
Side effects
restless legs at night
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (28)
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (19 evaluations)
Side effects
sleepiness bipolar depressive episodes 5 more
Total evaluations
20
Tried for
anxious mood (26)
Treatment name(s)

(Pravachol)
Perceived effectiveness
for high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (6 evaluations)
Side effects
frequent urination muscle weakness
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) (22)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (30 evaluations)
Side effects
abdominal pain bipolar depressive episodes 34 more
Total evaluations
34
Tried for
depressed mood (17) pain (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Norco)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (9 evaluations)
Side effects
chronic constipation irritable bowel syndrome 2 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
pain (20)
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (15 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness neck movement dizziness (cervicogenic dizziness)
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
depressed mood (18) anxious mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (17 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness brain fog 7 more
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
anxious mood (17)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None
Data from patients with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Who has high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 1
20s 54
30s 327
40s 1181
50s 2729
60s 2667
70+ 873

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 2282
Female 5619
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 1960
Not Diagnosed 37
These charts show data from high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: