Cholesterol is essential for the normal functioning of cells, but elevated blood levels of cholesterol, specifically LDL, can lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque inside the blood vessel wall. Lowering elevated cholesterol levels with diet, exercise, and drugs has been shown to slow (and in some cases even reverse) the progression of atherosclerosis and to reduce the risk of both fatal and nonfatal heart attacks and also death from noncardiac causes. All adults should know their cholesterol level, and anyone who has known heart disease or who is at high risk for heart disease should consider the possibility that medication to lower cholesterol could substantially reduce the risk of having a second or even a first heart attack.

Cholesterol lowering is important for young, middle-aged, and older adults. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. Whether you have heart disease or want to prevent it, you can reduce your risk for having a heart attack by lowering your cholesterol level.

Find out more about cholesterol by clicking on the topics below.