Nearly 50 million Americans have cholesterol levels that are too high. High cholesterol in the blood is one of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke -- the two leading causes of death. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs.  (Too much of it in your blood, however, can lead to buildup on the walls of your arteries and form blockages.) The National Cholesterol Education Program (National Institutes of Health) recommends that adults aged 20 years or older have their cholesterol levels checked every five years. Get their Guide to Lowering Cholesterol. You'll discover everything you need to know to safeguard yourself from high cholesterol, including what foods you can eat to lower it. There are many more foods than oatmeal! And did you know that pizza can have more cholesterol than butter?