Cholesterol is a type of fat. Your body needs it for many things, such as making new cells.

Too much cholesterol in your blood increases your chances of having a heart attack and stroke.

You get cholesterol from the foods you eat and from your liver. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol your body needs.

• Desirable cholesterol is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
• Borderline-high cholesterol is 200 to 239.
• High cholesterol is 240 or higher.