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Cholesterol is a waxy substance, a type of fat the body makes. It is needed to build cell membranes (boundaries of cells), make certain hormones (steroid hormones), and produce bile acids that help fat digestion. But high cholesterol levels increase the chances of peripheral vascular disease, heart disease, and stroke. High cholesterol, also called hypercholesterolemia, deposits fat particles in the inner walls of blood vessels (atheromatous plaques), making it difficult for blood to flow through arteries. These deposits break away and form a clot (emboli) that travels to the heart or brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke. It is often a result of an unhealthy diet; in some instances, it is inherited.
Cholesterol is insoluble, so it is carried in the blood by special proteins; the combination is called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins are of different types based on the type of cholesterol they carry. The combination that carries cholesterol from the liver to other parts of the body is called Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). It is also referred to as bad cholesterol because its excess may result in accumulation and further cause atherosclerosis. The other type that carries cholesterol from the periphery to the liver for degradation and disposal is called High-density lipoprotein (HDL), also referred to as good cholesterol. In hypercholesterolemia, either the total cholesterol or LDL is increased. Hypercholesterolemia is preventable. You need to follow a healthy diet and exercise, and adhere to your medication regimen.