Home > Cholesterol > Cholesterol-Why You Should Know Your Levels Get the Flash Player to see this player. Rate: (Click the stars to rate) Published on Apr 20, 2009 by CCannon, Views: 7013 Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance that is an integral substance in your body. However, having high cholesterol has detrimental effects on the body. The bad cholesterol, the LDL, when it is too high makes your bodies blood vessels heal irregularly and puts you at risk for heart attack and stroke. The good cholesterol, the HDL, is actually protective for these diseases.