Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the cell membranes of all animals. Cholesterol is essential for the structure and function of these membranes, but too much cholesterol can be harmful.
The body makes its own cholesterol, but it can also get cholesterol from food. Animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy contain cholesterol. Some plant-based foods such as coconut oil and palm oil also contain cholesterol.
Cholesterol is transported around the body in lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries most of the body’s cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) helps to remove excess LDL from the arteries and transport it back to the liver for processing.
Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up on the walls of arteries and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. HDL cholesterol protects against atherosclerosis by removing LDL from arteries.
High levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides ( another type of fat in the blood) are risk factors for heart disease . A high level of HDL cholesterol is protective against heart disease .
Family history , age , gender , smoking , diabetes , high blood pressure ,and obesity are other risk factors for developing heart disease .