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Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all the cells of the body. It is used to make hormones, Vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Although cholesterol serves many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the blood can be dangerous. When blood cholesterol reaches high levels, it can build up on artery walls, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke.
The bloodstream transports cholesterol throughout the body by special carriers called lipoproteins. The two major lipoproteins are low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is most often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol whereas HDL is known as the "good" cholesterol.
Too much cholesterol in the blood, or high blood cholesterol, can be serious. People with high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high.
Lowering your cholesterol level decreases your chance for having a plaque burst and cause a heart attack. Lowering cholesterol may also slow down, reduce, or even stop plaque from building up.
According to the American Heart Association, to control your cholesterol, get a cholesterol screening, eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and follow all your health care professional's recommendations.
Click on one of the screening methods below to learn more:
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Cholesterol