About High Cholesterol

As cholesterol (plaque) builds up in the arteries, the arteries begin to narrow, which lessens or blocks the flow of blood.

There are two sources of cholesterol: cholesterol made by the body and dietary cholesterol.

1. Cholesterol is made in your liver. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones and digest fatty foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs.
2. Dietary cholesterol is in animal foods, such as egg yolks, fatty meats, and regular cheese. In general, foods that are high in dietary cholesterol are also high in saturated fat.

The foods you eat play a role in your risk of high cholesterol, but your overall risk depends on many factors. Learn what raises your risk for high cholesterol.

More Information

From CDC:

• Know the Facts About High Cholesterol Cdc-pdf[PDF-281K]
• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Aortic Aneurysm
• High Blood Pressure

From Others:

• CholesterolExternal—American Heart Association
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020External—U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Fats and CholesterolExternal—U.S. Department of Agriculture
• High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to KnowExternal—National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• The Skinny on FatsExternal—American Heart Association