Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs to function properly. It's found in all of your body's cells and many of the foods you eat. Your body uses cholesterol to make cell membranes, some hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
When you get your cholesterol tested, you'll receive a count for your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (another form of fat in your blood):
High cholesterol, especially high LDL cholesterol, can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Over time, too much LDL cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This buildup is called atherosclerosis and narrows your arteries, limiting blood flow.
You can improve your cholesterol levels by:
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Some other things that can impact cholesterol levels include:
In most cases, making lifestyle changes and taking cholesterol-lowering medication as needed can get levels under control. But it's important to monitor and manage high cholesterol. If left untreated for too long, the consequences can be serious.
I hope this gives you a good overview of the basics around cholesterol numbers! Let me know if you have any other questions.