Transcript: High cholesterol is a key risk factor in heart disease, which is the biggest killer in America today. Keep watching to learn more about this dangerous epidemic. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is produced naturally by the body and is also ingested from food. While some cholesterol is needed for many bodily functions, having too much can pose a serious risk to your health! Cholesterol is “carried” through the body by cells called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins: low-density, or LDL, and high-density, or HDL. HDL aids in shuttling excess cholesterol out of the body and, for this reason, is known as “good” cholesterol. On the other hand, LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, can significantly increase your chances of developing coronary artery disease or of having a heart attack or a stroke. Let’s take a closer look at the process through which excess LDL can lead to these serious consequences. When someone has high cholesterol, it can lead to a buildup of fatty plaque along the walls of the body’s arteries, small vessels that carry blood to the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis and has different consequences depending on which artery is affected. When atherosclerosis occurs in the coronary arteries leading to the heart, the flow of vital, oxygen-rich blood to the heart is restricted. This is called coronary artery disease, a condition suffered by seven million American adults. The earliest symptoms of coronary artery disease are usually shortness of breath and chest pain, which is called angina. Episodes of angina most commonly occur after physical exertion, when the heart’s need for oxygen is increased beyond what can be provided by the restricted blood flow. Sometimes, the build-up of plaque is so severe that the arties become completely blocked, cutting off blood flow to the heart. This causes the death of heart muscle cells, which is called a heart attack. The symptoms of a heart attack differ for everyone, but many people describe the pain they’ve experienced as radiating outwards and leading to the back, throat, or jaw. Severe pain in the left arm is another commonly reported symptom. A distinct shortage of breath, weakness and dizziness are also signs that you may be experiencing a heart attack and should seek emergency medical assistance. Atherosclerosis can affect the arteries leading to the brain, too, which can result in a stroke. A person suffering a stroke will often report losing sensation or feeling weak in one side of their body. Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination, and difficulty speaking or comprehending are also signs of stroke. Coronary artery disease, stroke and heart attack can all result in death, so it is important to take steps to keep your cholesterol at a normal level. If you’re worried about your cholesterol, or if you have a family history of high cholesterol, please make an appointment with your doctor.