High blood pressure and high cholesterol on their own are serious risk factors for heart disease and stroke. When both high blood pressure and high cholesterol occur together, they can damage blood vessels, greatly increasing the risk of future complications. To prevent heart disease and stroke, it's vital to get your cholesterol and blood pressure under control. What Causes High Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that your body needs to create cell walls and certain hormones. Cholesterol is made by the liver and obtained in the diet through animal products, like meat, seafood, and dairy. Cholesterol doesn't dissolve in the blood, and it has to be carried around the body in particles called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known commonly as "bad cholesterol," because it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), on the other hand, is considered "good cholesterol" since it lowers risk. Genetics and lifestyle factors play a r...
