High cholesterol is essential for the body to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and building cells. However, when bad cholesterol causes plaque to build up in the arteries it can be a major risk factor for heart attack, heart disease and stroke. Dietary cholesterol has little to no effect on blood cholesterol levels[3], and although too much 'bad cholesterol' can lead to fatty deposits building up in the arteries, it is not always a bad thing.