Health Tips – Why is cholesterol a health problem?

While some fat is necessary for good health, too much fat in your bloodstream can lead to long-term problems. When your blood levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, it can cause excess cholesterol to build up on the walls of your blood vessels. These fatty deposits, known as plaque, narrow your arteries and reduce the flow of oxygen-enriched blood to vital organs. Plaque buildup leads to a condition called atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of heart disease and stroke.

Sometimes the plaque deposits in your arteries will break off and trigger a blood clot that blocks blood circulation. If a blood clot blocks
an artery to your heart, it can cause a heart attack. If it blocks an
artery to your brain, it can cause a stroke. Your goal should be to keep LDL cholesterol levels fairly low.

On the other hand, HDL cholesterol is considered good for you, so you should try to keep this type of cholesterol level high. HDL protects you from atherosclerosis and heart disease by helping to carry “bad” LDL cholesterol away from your blood vessel walls. Maintaining the proper balance between HDL and LDL cholesterol is essential for good health.

The relationship between triglycerides and heart disease is less clear. High triglyceride levels are often associated with low levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol. They have also been linked to excess weight, alcohol consumption and poorly controlled diabetes, which are all risk factors for heart disease. Many people with heart disease have elevated triglyceride levels, so there definitely seems to be a connection between the two conditions.