High blood cholesterol is one of the four major risk factors for coronary heart disease (cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and sedentary lifestyle are the other three).

High blood cholesterol occurs when there is too much cholesterol in your blood. Your cholesterol level is determined partly by your genetic makeup and the saturated fat and cholesterol in the foods you eat. Even if you didn't eat any cholesterol, your body would manufacture enough for its needs.

The risk of developing...