You may not know you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood. The only way to be sure is to have a blood test.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is an important part of the oute lining (membrane) of cells in the body of animals. Cholesterol is also found in the blood circulation of humans. The cholesterol in a person's blood originates from two major sources; dietary intake and liver production. Dietary cholesterol comes mainly from meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Organ meats, such as liver, are especially high in cholesterol content, while foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol. After a meal, cholesterol is absorbed by the intestines into the blood circulation and is then packaged inside a protein coat. This cholesterol-protein coat complex is called a chylomicron.

High cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can form plaque (a thick, hard deposit) on artery walls. The cholesterol or plaque build-up causes arteries to become thicker, harder and less flexible, slowing down and sometimes blocking blood flow to the heart. When blood flow is restricted, chest pain or angina can result. When blood flow to the heart is severely impaired or stops completely, a heart attack can result.

Since no "normal" cholesterol levels have been established, doctors rely on "desirable cholesterol levels" in making treatment recommendations. However, the "desirable" levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol have been moving targets; they have been steadily declining over the years as more and more controlled trials have demonstrated that the risk of heart attacks and strokes can be reduced further with lower LDL cholesterol level. Think of cholesterol as a "vital sign,"similar to blood pressure, and high cholesterol as a leading risk factor for heart disease

What can you do about it?

High fat intake contributes to excess body weight, since a gram of fat has about twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates and proteins.

High cholesterol levels can be reduced through healthy eating, exercise and stop smoking.

Whether you are trying to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol levels or simply eat healthier, you'll want to limit total fat intake.

The antioxidants in grapefruit are likely responsible for the health benefits and the fresh fruit and juice are equally beneficial, They also noted that red grapefruit generally has higher levels of antioxidants than white varieties. It may also be possible that red grapefruit has some unknown chemicals that help reduce triglycerides.

Eating fish may lower inflammation in the blood vessels Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce mortality from heart disease and it is also god for your Cholesterol. BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Hyperlipidemia, or excess levels of fats in the blood, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Many lipid-lowering agents exist for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. fish oil supplementation lowers blood levels of triglycerides by about 25-30%;

Medications are prescribed when lifestyle changes cannot reduce the LDL cholesterol to desired levels. The most effective and widely used medications to lower LDL cholesterol are called statins. For older people on a fixed income, that extra four months on an expensive drug can be a big factor.