When it comes to cholesterol, a little bit goes a long way. Your body needs some cholesterol as a part of good health. However, nearly 107 million Americans have too much cholesterol, which raises their risk of coronary heart disease.

Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver from saturated fat that you eat. Some cholesterol also comes from eggs, meats and dairy products. The extra cholesterol in your blood can gradually cause a build-up (called “plaque”) in your arteries. That build-up slows down the blood flow and blocks small arteries.

If an artery that supplies blood to your heart becomes blocked, you could have a heart attack. If an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked, you could have a stroke.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deliver cholesterol to the body. This is the bad kind of cholesterol. If you have a high LDL level, you may be at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke.

Nearly 107 million Americans have too much cholesterol, raising their risk of coronary heart disease.

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The balance between the types of cholesterol tells you what your cholesterol level means (see the box below). For example, if your total cholesterol level is high because of a high LDL level, you may be at higher risk of heart disease or stroke. If your total level is high only because of a high HDL level, you’re probably not at higher risk.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that men get their cholesterol levels checked starting at age 35, and women get their levels checked starting at age 45. If you think that you are at risk for high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about your concerns.

• Enjoy a heart-healthy diet. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, skinless chicken, fish, whole-grain breads, beans, soy and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Avoid a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

• Get physical. Exercise can reduce LDL cholesterol levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels. Try to work up to exercising 5 or more days a week at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes. The best type of exercise for your heart is aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming and bicycling.

• Stop smoking. If you smoke, stop now. Smoking can damage the walls of your blood vessels, making them more likely to become blocked by large deposits of cholesterol.

• Maintain an appropriate weight. Talk to your family doctor about determining your appropriate weight. If you’re overweight, the extra pounds put extra stress on your heart.

If these lifestyle changes don’t help after 6 months to a year, your doctor may suggest medicine to lower your cholesterol. This decision depends mostly on your LDL cholesterol level and any other health conditions you have. Even if you take cholesterol-lowering medicine, it’s important to keep up with your lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet and being physically active can make your medicine more effective. Your doctor can give you tips on how to make healthy food choices and include physical activity in your daily routine.

• Lack of exercise
• Overweight and obesity
• High-fat, high-cholesterol diet
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Family members who have high cholesterol

Nearly 107 million Americans have too much cholesterol, raising their risk of coronary heart disease.

Activities as simple as taking regular walks can help reduce cholesterol levels in the body.

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Borderline:
Total cholesterol 200-239
LDL cholesterol 130-159
HDL cholesterol 40-60

Best:
Total cholesterol less than 200
LDL cholesterol less than 130
HDL cholesterol 60 or higher