human
I've been told that I have a high level of cholesterol. What does this mean?
assistant
High cholesterol levels are a risk factor for coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood and other body tissues. It is made up of two main types of molecules: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in the arteries and increase your risk for coronary heart disease. HDL is known as “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL from the arteries. Having too much LDL or not enough HDL can raise your risk for coronary heart disease.