What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance produced by your body and found in the foods you eat. Research has shown that low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are linked to increased risk of heart disease, while high-density lipoproteins (HDL) reduce your risk.

Chances of high cholesterol go up with age. Additional risk factors include diabetes, poor diet, obesity, smoking, alcoholism, high blood pressure and physical inactivity.

Additionally, heredity plays a key role in the cholesterol your body makes. An athlete with only 5 percent body fat but with the gene for "high cholesterol," may need to closely monitor his diet, eliminating fried foods, for example. If you don't know your family's cholesterol history, it's especially important to get tested.