Hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which high levels of cholesterol is present in the blood. Also known as high cholesterol, this condition involves elevated levels of lipoproteins in the blood. It is medically known as hyperlipidemia also.

Factors such as poor diet, consumption of saturated fat and trans fat, obesity and lack of exercise are the common causes of high cholesterol. The most common cause of inherited high cholesterol is the condition called familial hypercholesterolemia.

Factors that put you in an increased risk of high cholesterol are poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, obesity and diabetes. Children of parents who have the gene defect which causes familial hypercholesterolemia are prone to high cholesterol.

Hypercholesterolemia can be diagnosed by performing a routine blood analysis for checking the levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins. Known as lipid profile or lipid panel, this blood test helps diagnose hypercholesterolemia.

The common signs and symptoms of hypercholesterolemia are chest pain with activity, cholesterol deposits around the eyes and cholesterol deposits in the tendons or the skin. Small bumps on the skin of the hands, knees or around the eyes are also signs of hypercholesterolemia.