Healthy
Charles County

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy-looking substance made by the liver.  Your body uses cholesterol to help make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest food.  Your liver makes all of the cholesterol that you need.  Cholesterol is also found in foods made from animal products (ex: egg yolks, meat, poultry, and full fat dairy products).

Problems can happen when you have more cholesterol than your body can use.  Over time, excess cholesterol can attach to and build up on the artery walls.  This can damage the arteries and decrease or even stop blood flow to your organs.

Get Tested

Talk to your doctor about having a simple blood test to learn what your blood cholesterol levels are.

Know Your Numbers

American Heart Association-Cholesterol:

Causes of High Cholesterol

Making some lifestyle changes can improve your cholesterol numbers. 

Resources