What Is Cholesterol? - American Heart Association

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/
Mar 13, 2026 · Learn about cholesterol levels, what is good and bad cholesterol, the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol, and more.

Cholesterol Levels: By Age, LDL, HDL, and More - Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/levels-by-age
Apr 25, 2025 · We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children. Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your cholesterol.

Cholesterol - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. [3][4] Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells [5] and is an essential structural and signaling component of animal cell membranes.

High cholesterol - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800
Mar 7, 2025 · Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. But high levels of cholesterol can raise the risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, fats and other substances can build up in blood vessels called arteries. This buildup is called plaque.

Cholesterol - American Heart Association

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs for important jobs, such as helping to build cells and to make certain hormones. When cholesterol is too high, it can put you at a higher risk of heart disease or stroke.

Understanding What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11920-cholesterol-numbers-what-do-they-mean
Oct 13, 2025 · Your cholesterol levels are important because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that helps your body perform many important functions.

High cholesterol - NHS

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/
Find out what cholesterol is, what causes high cholesterol, why it's important to keep your cholesterol levels under control, and how to lower your cholesterol.

Your Cholesterol Numbers: The Good, the Bad, the Triglycerides

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/your-cholesterol-numbers-the-good-the-bad-the-triglycerides
Mar 16, 2026 · Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that circulates in the blood. While a certain amount of it is normal, too much raises the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers - Mayo Clinic

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192
Jul 15, 2026 · Here are some foods to improve your cholesterol and protect your heart. Cholesterol is important for your body. But too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also called "bad" cholesterol, can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. Some people need medicine to manage cholesterol.

About Cholesterol | Cholesterol | CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html
May 15, 2024 · Key points Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Millions of people in the United States have high cholesterol. Optimal total blood cholesterol is 150mg/dL.