High cholesterol is an excessive level of cholesterol in the blood.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is used for many body processes.
The body produces all the cholesterol it needs. When too much cholesterol and other fats are consumed, the body cannot get rid of the excess. The fats build up in various cells and tissues of the body. Cholesterol can build up on the insides of blood vessel walls. This results in atherosclerosis , or hardening of the arteries.