Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body.
It is used to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes and make hormones. Although cholesterol serves many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the blood can be dangerous. When blood cholesterol reaches high levels, it can build up on artery walls, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. The bloodstream transports cholesterol throughout the body by special carriers called lipoproteins. It is also the material that contributes most to the build up of plaque on artery walls.