The following is a list of the main headings within this document. Clicking on a topic will drop you to the section that discusses this topic. A Strategy to Lower Your Cholesterol Increased Risk of Heart Disease in Post Menopausal Women Cholesterol Defined Cholesterol is a softy waxy substance found in each person's bloodstream and in all of our body's cells. Your body needs cholesterol to help with a number of its normal functions. But, too much cholesterol in the blood is counterproductive and may increase your risk of heart disease.
More women suffer and die from heart disease than breast cancer.
Many American women have cholesterol levels that put them at increased risk for developing heart disease. LDL is a type of cholesterol that can slowly buildup and cause fatty deposits to clog the arteries that feed your heart and brain. These fatty deposits, called plaque, thicken and harden. Block the flow of blood to your brain and cause a stroke. HDL is sometimes referred to as a heart-protecting cholesterol because it actually prevents fatty buildup in your blood vessels.