If you’re reading this, you probably care about your health and the role cholesterol can play. That’s an important first step.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance. It’s not inherently “bad.” Your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. But too much cholesterol can pose a problem.

Cholesterol comes from two sources. Your liver makes all the cholesterol you need. The remainder of the cholesterol in your body comes from foods from animals

The two types of cholesterol are: LDL cholesterol, which is bad, and HDL, which is good. Too much of the bad kind, or not enough of the good kind, increases the risk cholesterol will slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain.

Cholesterol can join with other substances to form a thick, hard deposit on the inside of the arteries.

– Check your cholesterol levels. It’s key to know your numbers and assess your risk.

– Change your diet and lifestyle to help improve your levels.

– Control your cholesterol, with help from your doctor if needed