Here is an excellent video on how cholesterol affects your arterial health. It emphasizes that cholesterol becomes a larger problem when the inner lining of the arteries is damaged.  Damage is caused by any number of factors including smoking, poorly regulated blood sugar (diabetes and pre-diabetes) and high blood pressure  -- all which may affect the levels of inflammation.  At the end, the video briefly discusses the use of medications to lower cholesterol,  but note that a holistic nutritional approach can help you not only lower cholesterol, but also help you improve on the factors that can damage the inner lining of the arteries.  The critical point:  do not focus on cholesterol alone but work toward arterial health.  Read more in The Kardea Gourmet.