Cholesterol levels have a direct relationship on the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Lower cholesterol and you reduce your chances for developing this deadly disease that strikes millions of people each year. Lower cholesterol levels also protect the body from numerous other health problems.
There are different types of coronary heart disease that can develop from high cholesterol. All are the result of cholesterol building up in the coronary arteries, a network of arteries surrounding the heart, and forming a plaque that reduces the flow of oxygen that is vital to the function of the heart. Cholesterol in the arteries that causes them to harden is also called arteriosclerosis. This condition is accelerated in people who smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or high cholesterol level
When blood flow to the heart is reduced because of cholesterol a condition called angina develops. This causes chest pain which at times can feel like a heart attack. Angina is also a pre-indicator that there could be other serious heart problems. Rapid contraction of the coronary arteries causes spasms that cause chest pain. (more…)
