What are the effects of having high cholesterol?

Increases risk: The major effect of a high cholesterol is that it increases your risk for heart attacks, arterial disease, and strokes. Lowering the cholesterol has been proven to reduce that risk whether the lowering is because of a change in diet or because of your taking certain medications.

Depends on Particles: Cholesterol is transported in the blood inside lipoprotein particles. After entry into the artery wall low density lipoprotein (ldl) particles directly promote atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries") and increase risk for heart attack and stroke. High density lipoprotein (HDL) particles work in several ways to decrease atherosclerosis. Ldl and HDL levels are needed to answer your question.