What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is made in the body by the liver. Cholesterol forms part of every cell in the body and serves many vital functions. Our bodies need cholesterol to:

Maintain healthy cell walls
Make hormones (the body's chemical messengers)
Make vitamin D
Make bile acids, which aid in fat digestion

But sometimes, through either genetic or lifestyle factors, our bodies make more cholesterol than we really need, and this excess cholesterol circulates through the bloodstream. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can clog blood vessels and increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.

The Numbers:

Do you have high cholesterol? If so, you're not alone. Anyone can have it. In fact, as many as one in five people has high cholesterol, which means they may have increased risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is known to affect people of all ages, races and backgrounds, so it's important that you get checked and know your numbers.

According to the government's National Cholesterol Education Program, everyone over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years. But depending on your risk of heart disease, your doctor may suggest that you get checked more often. Just a simple blood test will tell you -- in numbers -- what your total cholesterol level is and how it relates to your overall health.

To control your cholesterol, get a cholesterol screening, eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and follow all your doctor's recommendations.

What The Numbers Mean

Cholesterol and other fats are transported in your blood stream as spherical particles called lipoproteins. The two most commonly known lipoproteins are low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins. LDL is known as the "bad" type of cholesterol, while HDL is the "good" type.

While LDL is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries, HDL helps keep the buildup from happening.

Your LDL level is a good indicator of your risk for heart disease. Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol. In general, the higher your LDL level, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.

What Is Considered High Cholesterol?

The NCEP has created a set of guidelines for the detection and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults.

Each of us has different risks of having high cholesterol. So, while these numbers can serve as general guidelines, it is important that you consult your doctor about what your personal goal should be. And while high numbers may not be your fault (when caused by genetics, for example), you may need some extra help to bring them down.

TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL	CATEGORY
Less than 200 mg/dL	Desirable
200-239 mg/dL	Borderline High
240 mg/dL and above	High
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.

LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL	CATEGORY
Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
100-129 mg/dL	Near optimal
130-159 mg/dL	Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very high
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.