Cholesterol circulates in the blood and can mix with other substances to form a thick, hard deposit inside the arteries. This can narrow the arteries, causing a condition known as arteriosclerosis. About one in three adults in the US have high levels of “low-density lipoprotein cholesterol” (LDL-C), which is considered the “bad cholesterol” because it contributes to deposits plaque and narrowing of the arteries. To lower your cholesterol, eat a heart-healthy diet and do moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise three to four times a week. You must also take any prescribed medication exactly as your doctor has instructed you.