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Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on your artery walls. Too much cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. But you can take steps to manage your cholesterol levels and lower your risk.
Get more quick facts about high cholesterol.
There are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol. Getting your cholesterol checked with a simple blood test is the only way you can know if you are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on your artery walls and put you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
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References
- CDC. Vital signs: prevalence, treatment, and control of high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol—United States, 1999–2002 and 2005–2008. MMWR. 2011;60(4):109–14.
- Mozaffarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, Arnett DK, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2015 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2014 Dec 17 [Epub ahead of print].
- Page last reviewed: September 5, 2017
- Page last updated: September 5, 2017
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