Cholesterol is needed by your body to build cells and make vitamins and hormones.  Too much cholesterol in your body is “bad”. The liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs.  The cholesterol you get from food by way of animals, such as meats, poultry and dairy contain dietary cholesterol. “Bad cholesterol” or excess cholesterol made by the liver from eating animal products can cause problems.

Cholesterol circulates in the blood and high amounts contribute to cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke.  Monitoring your cholesterol is important.  If levels are high, you may need medication. Too much bad cholesterol or not enough good will cause thick, hard deposits inside arteries and destroy the inner walls of the vessels that feed oxygenated blood to the heart and brain.  This can result in a heart attack or stroke.  

• It is essential to work with a cholesterol specialist doctor to test the levels periodically.
• Eating a healthy diet and following an exercise program will aid in your cholesterol health.
• Taking medications recommended and following advice on a healthy lifestyle will decrease your risks of problems caused by high cholesterol.