Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that is needed for the body's functions but can accumulate and cause health issues. There are two main types - LDL (bad) cholesterol which raises the risk for heart disease when levels are too high, and HDL (good) cholesterol which helps remove LDL from arteries. Cholesterol levels are affected by diet, physical activity, smoking, and genetics. Maintaining optimal total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL, LDL under 100 mg/dL, and HDL over 60 mg/dL can help lower heart disease risk.

2. Cholesterol

3. What Is It?
Hyperlipidemia is
high cholesterol and
triglycerides.
Major adult
cardiovascular
diseases begin in
childhood and
adolescence.

4. What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a
soft, waxy
substance found
among the lipids
(fats) in the
bloodstream and in
all your body's cells.

5. What Is Cholesterol?
It's used to form
cell membranes,
some hormones
and is needed for
other functions.

6. What Is Cholesterol?
But a high level
of cholesterol in
the blood is a
major risk factor
for coronary heart
disease, which
leads to heart
attack.

7. What is LDL Cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein is the major
cholesterol carrier in the blood.
If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in
the blood, it can slowly build up in the
walls of the arteries feeding the heart and
brain.
It can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit
that can clog those arteries.

8. What is HDL Cholesterol?
About 1/3 of blood cholesterol is carried
by HDL.
HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from
the arteries and back to the liver, where it's
passed from the body.

9. What is HDL Cholesterol?
HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques
and thus slows their growth.
HDL cholesterol is known as "good"
cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to
protect against heart attack.

10. Where Do I Get Cholesterol?
2
Ways:
The body produces varying amounts, usually
about 1,000 milligrams a day.
Foods also can contain cholesterol.
Foods from animals (especially egg yolks,
meat, poultry, shellfish and whole- and
reduced-fat milk and dairy products) contain
it.

11. Where Do I Get Cholesterol?
Foods from plants (fruits, vegetables,
grains, nuts and seeds) don't contain
cholesterol.
The body makes all the cholesterol it needs,
so people don't need to consume it.

12. What Else Effects Cholesterol
Levels?
Tobacco smoke is
one of the six major
risk factors of
heart disease that
you can change or
treat.

13. What Else Effects Cholesterol
Levels?
Smoking lowers
HDL cholesterol levels
and increases the
tendency for blood to
clot.
Blood clots can cause
heart attacks, stroke,
and even death.

14. How Can I Lower My Cholesterol?
Choose healthy fats (oils), limit saturated fat,
and avoid trans fat.
The total amount of fat you eat, whether high
or low, isn't really linked with disease. What
really matters is the type of fat you eat.

15. How Can I Lower My Cholesterol?
The "bad" fats—saturated and trans fats—
increase the risk for certain diseases.
The "good" fats—monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats—lower disease risk.
Choosing foods without cholesterol and adding
whole grains also helps.

16. Will Physical Activity Help?
Regular physical
activity increases
HDL cholesterol in
some people.
A higher HDL
cholesterol is linked
with a lower risk of
heart disease.

17. Will Physical Activity Help?
Physical activity can
also help control
weight, diabetes and
high blood pressure.
Physical inactivity
is a major risk
factor for heart
disease.

18. Where Should the Levels Be?
Total Blood (or Serum) Cholesterol Level
< 200 mg/dL
Desirable
200–239 mg/dL
Borderline-High Risk
240 mg/dL and over High Risk

19. Where Should the Levels Be?
HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level
70 and above
Optimal
60 to 70
Near Optimal
< 40 mg/dL for men
High Risk
< 50 mg/dL for women
High Risk

20. Where Should the Levels Be?
LDL Cholesterol Levels
< 100 mg/dL
Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL
Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL
Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL
High
190 mg/dL and above Very High