As a normal body function the cholesterol is a substance necessary for the body. With a waxy and fatty aspect the cholesterol resides on the cell walls, liver and other organs. The human body uses the cholesterol to produce Vitamin D and many hormones, but a high level of cholesterol on the bloodstream produces blockages of arteries and other vital organs, leading to a variety of problems. Pain when walk (claudication) may happen when the legs arteries are blocked, the blockage of carotid artery may cause stroke, the narrowing of the arteries may cause angina (pain on the chest) or even a heart attack. Much of the cholesterol comes from food so the cholesterol levels may be controlled trough a healthy diet program. The lack of physical exercise contributes to higher levels of cholesterol while regular physical activity may lower the risk. Family history (familial hypercholesterolemia) may be other cause of high blood cholesterol being this not a disease but a metabolic derangement. Because Hypercholesterolemia has not symptoms by itself unless it has been longstanding , to find out your cholesterol level it is recommended to make a test every 5 years, a test called “lipoprotein profile”. Redaction MyHotNews.com