Take this course for free. On the basis of these and other reports, this course recommends a cholesterol goal of 160-200 or lower for most adults, averaging 180, and a HDL cholesterol level of 45 or higher. This gave rise to the course title, Cholesterol 180.
Heart disease is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart.
Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries. If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart, you may experience chest pain called angina. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body and that your body needs to function normally.