Failure to lower cholesterol can lead to a dangerous and even deadly occurrence known as plaque rupture. A build up of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol on the artery walls is the first step in creating conditions within the arteries where plaque can rupture and release fat into the blood stream. This then can further clog already narrow arteries or cause a clot to happen by lodging the clot in an arterial opening.
When arteries become clogged with plaque due to high cholesterol, the walls become hardened. This condition is referred to as atherosclerosis. The arteries also become narrow and make it difficult for blood to flow through. When they become completely blocked a stroke or heart attack is the end result. This condition itself is dangerous, but it also leads to the possibility of plaque rupture. (more…)
