Bad cholesterol, LDL, often deposits cholesterol in blood vessels. High cholesterol contributes to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure target levels may help adults with type 2 diabetes to prevent or even reverse hardening of their arteries, according to new research. Although our bodies are capable of producing so much cholesterol on its own, it is still very important to obtain cholesterol from dietary sources. That’s why it’s important to have your cholesterol tested, so you can know your levels. Lowering your cholesterol is important; increased cholesterol levels lead to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Genes appear to play the most important role by determining how much HDL cholesterol your body makes and the proportion of different subtypes. Good and Bad Cholesteral Cholesterol is divided into a “good” and “bad” portion. Learn more about how health systems can address stroke risk factors and improve the quality of stroke care to reduce stroke deaths. However, it is a necessary nutrient for body function. Why cholesterol matters. Cholesterol is publicized as an antonym to health. Your body produces cholesterol naturally, and the rest comes from the food you eat. An estimated 21 million Americans have diabetes and 284,000 die from it each year, with 65% percent of these deaths related to cardiovascular causes. What causes low HDL cholesterol? There are many reasons why some people have low HDL and others have high HDL. Cholesterol circulates in the blood. The most important thing your doctor will keep in mind when thinking about statin treatment is your long-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. As the amount of cholesterol in your blood increases, so does the risk to your health. Cholesterol testing is very important if you: have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease; are overweight or obese; drink alcohol frequently The higher the HDL cholesterol levels , presumably, the more cholesterol is being removed from where it might otherwise cause damage. If your risk is very low, you probably won't need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L). The Importance of Lowering Cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, your body makes all the cholesterol you need and circulates it through your bloodstream. Diet plays an important role in determining your cholesterol levels Regular exercise can help in regulating cholesterol levels The heart is an essential organ of the human body. Much of the needed cholesterol is obtained through foods such as meat and dairy, but it can also be made by the liver. This is because cholesterol production in the body an extremely complex process, and places burden on the liver ( 2 ). 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