Home Equity Line of Credit

Just wondering if anyone has experience with a HELOC? I need something to consolidate my high interest unsecured debts. A couple of loans and maxed out credit cards. My Grandmother is a co-signer on my Mortgage, would she be affected if I were a to sign up for one? Would she have to consent? Would she even need to know?

The reason I am asking is I don’t like my family knowing my financial situation. That’ll cuss unnecessary stress for them and it’s also embarrassing. They wouldn’t take it well.