Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that occurs naturally in your body and is made by your liver. Your body uses cholesterol for various functions, including protecting nerves, making tissues, and producing hormones. You take in extra cholesterol from the food you eat.

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High levels of cholesterol in your blood can raise your risk of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. This is because the higher the level of cholesterol in your blood, the more likely you are to develop plaque in your bloodstream. Plaque occurs when the cholesterol in your blood sticks to the walls of your arteries, blood vessels that carry blood from your heart throughout your body.

As plaque builds up, it can narrow your arteries and eventually block bloodflow. If an artery that supplies blood to your heart itself is blocked, you can have a heart attack. If an artery that supplies blood to your brain is blocked, you can have a stroke.

Men ages 35 and over and women ages 45 and over should have their cholesterol checked annually. You may need to have it tested more often if you have other risk factors. You are more likely to have high cholesterol if it runs in your family, if you are overweight, or if you have a high-fat diet.

If you do have high cholesterol, you may be able to lower it by exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables, and possibly taking medication. Smokers should stop smoking. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds can help. You should avoid eating saturated and trans fats and limit your overall cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams daily. Also steer clear of high-cholesterol foods such as eggs, fatty meats, and high-fat dairy products.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. LDL and HDL are specific types of cholesterol that are important to measure. LDL delivers cholesterol to your body, while HDL removes cholesterol from your bloodstream. Too much LDL is bad for your body, whereas a high level of HDL is good.
  2. A total cholesterol level of less than 200 is best, 200 to 239 is considered borderline high, and 240 or higher indicates an increased risk of heart disease.