Cholesterol
Understanding the connection between HIV and cholesterol
Cholesterol helps your body work properly, but too much can cause health problems. Diet, physical activity, weight, smoking, older age, and family history of high cholesterol all shape your cholesterol levels. That’s why regular check-ins and healthy habits are even more important to your overall care.
The facts about HIV and cholesterol
What do we know about HIV and cholesterol?
- High cholesterol or “hyperlipidemia” refers to high levels of total cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by the body and is also found in foods from animal sources, such as egg yolks, butter, meat, and cheese
- Your total cholesterol is the full picture of what’s in your blood: “bad” cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein), “good” cholesterol (HDL, or high-density lipoprotein), and triglycerides (a type of fat) all added together. High cholesterol happens when LDL is too high or HDL is too low, throwing that balance off
- While the body needs cholesterol to function properly, too much (specifically LDL) can cause health problems. High cholesterol is something to stay on top of with your care team
- The most common causes of high cholesterol are unhealthy lifestyle habits, including:
- Eating foods high in dietary fats, including saturated and trans fats, such as fatty meats, processed foods, and fried foods
- Lack of physical activity (sedentary lifestyle)
- Smoking
- Other potential risk factors for high cholesterol include:
- Older age
- A family history of high cholesterol
- Other medical conditions, such as diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
Things you can do to help
Everyday steps can make a big difference in managing cholesterol while living with HIV.
What you can do:
Eat for healthy cholesterol levels.
Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products, eat more high-fiber foods, and eat more vegetables and fruits.
Move your body.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days—walking, stretching, dancing, or whatever you enjoy.
Maintain a healthy weight.
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can improve cholesterol levels.
Stay on top of your labs.
Get your cholesterol tested regularly, especially when starting or changing HIV medicines.
Talk with your care team.
Ask them about your cholesterol counts and if there are changes you need to make to your lifestyle or care plan.
Skip smoking.
Smoking can make cholesterol harder to manage.
Hive Keeper—your guide to whole health
Print the physical health section, save it on your phone, or bring it along to your next care visit.
Images may include models used for illustrative purposes only. They are not individuals with HIV unless explicitly stated.