Cholesterol is a substance that occurs naturally in your body and is an important building block for cells, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, cholesterol is also present in some foods you eat, which can lead to excessive levels of cholesterol in your body.

Significance

Excess cholesterol collects within your arteries and veins, the blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body. This causes the blood vessels to harden and become clogged, leading to a number of possible negative effects, according to NetDoctor.com.

Legs

According to the American Heart Association, about 8 million Americans suffer from peripheral artery disease, a condition frequently caused by the blockage of arteries in the legs due to high cholesterol. PAD causes leg pain during exercise or activity, slow healing time of wounds or cuts on your legs and feet and coldness of your lower extremities.

Brain

In the brain, cholesterol blockage in a blood vessel often leads to the formation of a blood clot or a ball of hardened blood cells. When a clot cuts off blood supply to the brain or ruptures and bleeds, the end result is a stroke.

Heart

A narrowing of arteries in your heart due to cholesterol deposits reduces blood flow to the organ. This can result in angina, chest pain or heart attacks.

Kidneys

High cholesterol levels increase your risk of developing kidney disease, according to Johns Hopkins University. This is most likely due to the blockage of arteries that carry oxygenated blood to the kidneys.

Mesenteric Ischemia

Hardening of the arteries due to high cholesterol levels also poses a risk for mesenteric ischemia or reducing blood flow to your digestive tract, according to VascularWeb. This causes chronic diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence and diarrhea.

Source

Mayo Clinic: High Cholesterol

UK NetDoctor: High Cholesterol

American Heart Association: PAD