What Is Cholesterol

What Is Cholesterol—and How Does It Affect the Latinx Community?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs to build cells, make hormones, and digest food. It travels through your bloodstream in two forms:

• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Think of it as the “bad” cholesterol—it can build up in your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease.
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): This is the “good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL from your system.

Too much LDL = clogged arteries = higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults has high cholesterol, and many don’t even know it. 

Latinx communities are at increased risk due to:

• Genetics: Conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic form of high cholesterol) are often underdiagnosed in Latinx populations.
• Diet and lifestyle: Traditional foods—many fried or meat-heavy—combined with busy, high-stress lives can impact heart health.
• Access and awareness: Many Latinx individuals don’t get regular screenings, especially if they don’t have health insurance or a primary care doctor.
  

The result? High cholesterol levels often go undetected until there’s a serious problem.