Cholesterol Management at a Glance

Diets high in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains can lower the risk of depression by fighting inflammation. Shutterstock

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all cells of your body. Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones and other substances, but having too much of it in your blood is linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol has no symptoms; the only way to find out whether your cholesterol level is high is by having a blood test. One of every six American adults has high cholesterol.