What is high cholesterol?

    Researchedby:
    Mike Murray

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Nick Milazzo, James Gaylor
    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance present in all cells and in the blood. Cholesterol is carried through the blood on lipoproteins (e.g., low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL). High amounts of LDL particles cause plaque (i.e., fatty deposits) to build up in the arteries.[1] Plaque hardens and narrows arteries, which restricts blood flow to areas of the body like the heart or brain and can cause a heart attack or stroke.

    References

    1. ^Ference BA, Ginsberg HN, Graham I, Ray KK, Packard CJ, Bruckert E, Hegele RA, Krauss RM, Raal FJ, Schunkert H, Watts GF, Borén J, Fazio S, Horton JD, Masana L, Nicholls SJ, Nordestgaard BG, van de Sluis B, Taskinen MR, Tokgözoglu L, Landmesser U, Laufs U, Wiklund O, Stock JK, Chapman MJ, Catapano ALLow-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 1. Evidence from genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies. A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus PanelEur Heart J.(2017 Aug 21)