Why be concerned about cholesterol?
High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. About 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. have high blood cholesterol, and heart disease is its leading cause of death. The amount of saturated fats in the diet has the most potential to raise blood cholesterol than any dietary factor.
Cholesterol is not the only cause of heart disease, which can be influenced by diet, family history, age, physical activity and tobacco use. But high blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure, are risk factors.