The term Cholesterol has been derived from a Greek word which means solid bile. The substance helps the body in creating new cell tissues & hormones as well as protects essential nerves.  The Liver and intake of eggs and meat usually forms these substances and also leads to formation of cholesterol in the body.

A person should have cholesterol in the required quantity but not in excess. In case an individual has a high level of cholesterol then chances of a heart attack also increase. The main reason is that cholesterol substances block the arteries and narrows them to form a so-called “plaque.” This blockage further blocks the flow of blood making the situation more complex. The disease that a person suffering from cholesterol has is often referred to as atherosclerosis.

Therefore, high cholesterol can lead to a heart attack and cerebral vascular accident or even a stroke can occur. The simple technique of undergoing a blood test can determine whether a person is suffering from cholesterol or not. Cholesterol generally occurs at the age of 35 years in case of men and 45 years in the case of women. If you are suffering from diabetics or heart problems then chances are that you might also be suffering from high cholesterol levels.

Persons who are regular smokers or are overweight must also get their cholesterol levels checked. The amazing fact about cholesterol is that they don't travel on their own inside the blood but are attached with various lipo-proteins.

If the lipo-proteins are low, cholesterol enters the body and in case of high lipo-protein they remove cholesterol from the body. Therefore, a person should maintain a high lipo-protein in their body. An ideal cholesterol level count is under 200 and a person with more than a count of 240 is considered to be risky.

Healthy diet, quitting smoking, proper medication and an active lifestyle can reduce the chances of high cholesterol levels in the body.