Cholesterol FAQs

Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow

• What is cholesterol?
• What causes high cholesterol?
• What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
• How often should I have my cholesterol checked?
• How is cholesterol checked?
• Should I only be concerned with my total cholesterol number?
• What kinds of problems are caused by high cholesterol?
• What can I do to prevent high cholesterol?
• When would a doctor prescribe a medication to lower cholesterol?
• What are the uncontrollable and controllable risk factors for high cholesterol?
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What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. 

If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in the arteries of the heart, which could lead to heart disease.