Cholesterol can be both a good and bad substance in the body, depending on levels and which kind. Cholesterol helps digest dietary fats, produce hormones, build cell walls, and aid with other bodily functions. Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream to the body’s tissues, where it is used, stored, or excreted, depending on the body’s needs. Cholesterol is referred to as lipoproteins, which can be either good or bad for your health. Some lipoproteins can cause blood flow to the heart to slow down, which can lead to the heart muscle becoming starved of oxygen, resulting in chest pain known as angina. Blood clots that fully block coronary arteries can also occur, causing heart attacks (myocardial infarction) or death.