Most people are familiar with cholesterol and its effects on the body. Because cholesterol is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, keeping it under control is key to maintaining good health. The American Heart Association says one in five Americans has high blood cholesterol levels.

  Blood cholesterol levels play an important part in determining your risk of developing heart disease, which is the number one killer of men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association 2002 Heart and Stroke Update. The higher your cholesterol, the greater your risk. High blood cholesterol levels lead to cholesterol buildup, which is the most common cause of heart disease, and it happens so slowly that you are not even aware of it.

  Educating yourself about cholesterol is an important step toward lowering your risk of heart disease. The more you know about cholesterol, the more you can take control of your health. The following information will help you understand the nature of cholesterol and how high levels of it can harm the body.

  Cholesterol is a lipid (a waxy fat-like substance) found in cells and in the blood. It is produced naturally in the liver, but some of the cholesterol in our bodies comes from the food we eat. 

  While too much cholesterol can be harmful, a certain amount is necessary for bodily functions. Our bodies need cholesterol to make cell walls and as a building block to produce various hormones (substances that regulate vital body functions), bile acids (that help in digestion), and Vitamin D.

  Lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides do not dissolve in water (fat and water do not mix). Therefore, lipids do not move freely in the blood, which is mostly water. Rather, they are carried in the form of tiny particles called lipoproteins that combine lipids and proteins. Lipoproteins are formed in the liver and carry cholesterol and triglycerides throughout the body via the bloodstream.

  When your physician measures your cholesterol levels, he or she will measure your levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides.

What is LDL?

  Low density lipoproteins are the major carriers of cholesterol in the blood. They transport cholesterol from the liver to other parts of the body where it is processed. LDL is known as the bad cholesterol, because LDLs cause gradual buildup inside the arteries, which can lead to blockage eventually to heart attack or stroke. In individuals who do not have known heart disease, levels should be kept at a level of 130 or lower. Individuals with known heart disease should keep LDL levels less than 100.

What is HDL?

  HDL is known as the good cholesterol. Its major function is to pick up excess cholesterol from tissue in the body (particularly in the lining of arteries) and carry it off to the liver for processing and disposal. This helps prevent buildup in the arteries. HDL levels should be kept at 40 or greater.

What are triglycerides?

  Triglycerides are principal lipids in the blood that supply energy to the body. They are the bodys primary form of stored fat. Therefore eating excess amount of food can cause the body to convert the food and store in the form of triglycerides. High levels of triglycerides can lead to inflammation of the pancreas. Alcohol, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and liver or kidney disease tend to increase triglyceride levels. Triglyceride levels should be kept at 200 or lower.

  High cholesterol can block blood flow. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, the excess builds up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to the heart. This buildup is called arteriosclerosis, which means abnormal thickening and hardening of arterial walls. It narrows the arteries and can slow down or block blood flow to the heart. With less blood, the heart gets less oxygen. This lack of oxygen could cause chest pain, heart attack, or even death. 

  Lowering your blood cholesterol level is one of the best ways you can decrease your risk of heart disease. Even if your cholesterol is close to the desirable range, you can lower it and reduce your risk of heart disease.

  Total cholesterol, which should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood, is just one cholesterol level that needs to be monitored. Other cholesterol levels should be checked regularly, as well.