The Dangers of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is an important component of the cell membranes in the human body and serves several essential functions. It is naturally produced in the liver, which is also capable of removing cholesterol from the blood stream. Cholesterol is also present in certain foods, such as meat and dairy products.
The two components of cholesterol of major interest are LDL (or low density lipoproteins), and HDL (or high density lipoproteins). LDL is more commonly known in its role as the "bad cholesterol", while HDL is referred to as the "good cholesterol". In reality, there really is no good or bad as both serve a purpose within the body and are essential to health.
The dangers in high cholesterol result from high levels of LDL, which are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. The LDL, or low density lipoproteins, leave deposits of cholesterol on arterial walls. In time this forms into a thick plaque which will eventually thicken the arterial walls and cause a narrowing of the artery. This process is referred to as atherosclerosis. In addition to decreasing the blood flow to major organs, such as the heart and the brain, portions of these plaques can break off and form blood clots. These blood clots formed from the arterial plaque can lead directly to a heart attack or stroke.
HDL, or high density lipoprotein, gets its "good guy" designation from the ability to reduce atherosclerosis by removing plaque from arterial walls and cycling them through the liver where they can be removed from the body. Thus it is desirable to lower the levels of LDL, and increasing the levels of HDL.
Many physicians have become firm believers in the potential benefits of lowering the LDL. Among those benefits are slowing the formation of new cholesterol plaques, reducing existing plaques, and widening narrowed arteries. And of course, the very big health benefit of decreasing the risk of heart attack 
