In the body, it occurs when there's a presence of too much fatty substance in one's blood. Too much of it can block one's blood vessels. It also exposes one to varying health challenges if its status isn't discovered on time. Since it doesn't give symptoms, you can only know your cholesterol levels through blood test. 

It's advisable to test children between the ages of 9 and 11 to ascertain their cholesterol levels, while adults with no risk factor are to do theirs every five years. 

Cholesterol is carried through the blood attached to proteins. This combination of protein and cholesterol is called lipoprotein. There are different types of cholesterol based on what the lipoprotein carries. We have two types of it; 

1. Low-density lipoprotein:

This is also called bad cholesterol. It transports cholestrol particles throughout the body and make the arteries hard and narrow. 

2. High-density lipoprotein: 

They're otherwise known as good cholesterol. They pick up excess cholesterol and take it back to your liver. 

Causes of high cholesterol

High cholesterol can be caused by the following; 

* Poor diet

* Obesity

* Smoking

* Not having enough exercises

* Alcohol 

* Age

* Diabetes.

It's also believed that high cholesterol can be inherited from one's parents but it's often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices which makes it preventable and treatable. 

Complications of high cholesterol include but not limited to chest pains, heart attacks and stroke. 

How to lower it

Here are some viable and effective ways through which high cholesterol can be lowered; 

* Cutting down on fatty food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat like sausages, butter, ghee, cheese, cakes, biscuits, red-meat, lard, etc. 

Food that contains unsaturated fat is encouraged. These could be included in one's diets; oily fishes like mackerel and salmon, seeds and nuts, fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta and brown rice. 

* Exercising more

At least 150mins of exercises is encouraged in a week in order to keep one's cholesterol level normal.

* Walking

Walking fast is also encouraged. As one's heart beats faster while working, high cholesterol risk reduces.

*  Cycling

* Swimming

* Avoid smoking

* Cut down alcohol intake. 

Medication for high cholesterol

High cholesterol can be corrected through medication as prescribed by medical and health personnel. This medicine is called statins. There are however types of statins which include; 

* Fluvastatin(lestol)

* Atorvastin(lipifor)

* Lovastatin

* Pitastatin

* Pravastatin

* Resuvastatin calcium(crestol)

* Simvastatin(zocor).

Ref: 

-  NHS

- Mayo Clinic