It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and other needed tissues. The problem occurs when you have too much of it in your body.
Cholesterol comes from two sources.
It's produced in your body, mostly in the liver. And it's found in foods that come from animals, such as meats, poultry, fish, seafood and dairy products. Too much cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of heart attack. So the more you know about cholesterol and how to control it, the better your chances of avoiding a heart attack. Heart attacks claim almost half a million American lives every year.