Abnormally high blood concentrations of cholesterol. Generally considered to be a sign of high risk for atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease.
Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by elevated cholesterol levels in the blood. This condition is believed to be linked to high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the bloodstream. It can be caused by a genetic defect where there is a deficiency of LDL receptors responsible for clearing cholesterol from the blood.