Summary: Health organizations recommend keeping high cholesterol levels in check to be healthier. [Author: Brady Hartman – This article first appeared on the website LongevityFacts.]

High cholesterol levels are a silent killer that significantly increases the risk of stroke, kidney disease heart attack, and death. Cholesterol builds up the insides of artery walls, blocking the arteries that feed the brain, heart, kidneys. Treatment is efficient and inexpensive, yet many people walk around with high cholesterol levels, needlessly letting it steal years from their lives.