what is high cholesterol

High cholesterol is a condition in which there are too many lipids (fats) in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential for good health, as it helps the body perform important functions such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods. However, high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. High cholesterol can be inherited, but it is often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking, and drinking alcohol. High cholesterol has no symptoms, and the only way to detect it is through a blood test. If left untreated, high cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up in the blood vessels, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through the arteries. Sometimes, these deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol.