What Is Cholesterol?
Article Sources
- 1. 'LDL & HDL: Good & Bad Cholesterol.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl/hdl.htm.
- 2. 'Causes of High Cholesterol.' Heart.org, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/causes-of-high-cholesterol.
- 3. 'High Cholesterol Diseases: Conditions & Outcome.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11918-cholesterol-high-cholesterol-diseases.
- 4. 'Knowing Your Risk: High Cholesterol.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/risk/factors.htm.
- 5. 'Triglycerides and High Cholesterol: Causes, Risks & Prevention.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11117-triglycerides.
5. Health Problems Caused by High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol buildup, or plaque, can accumulate on artery walls, causing hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. When arteries are narrowed, blood flow to the heart muscle is restricted, possibly resulting in angina or a heart attack.
Many arteries can be affected by the buildup of plaque. If the arteries that carry oxygen to the brain and limbs are obstructed, carotid artery disease, peripheral arterial disease and stroke can result.3‘High Cholesterol Diseases: Conditions & Outcome.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11918-cholesterol-high-cholesterol-diseases.
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