Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States and around the world. Heart disease encompasses disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels such as heart attacks and heart failure. Cholesterol is a soft, fatty, waxy substance that is found in the body. It performs various functions such as the production of hormones like testosterone, estrogen and cortisol. Increased blood levels of cholesterol can raise your chances of developing heart disease.
Transport
Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood. To reach its target destinations in the body, it has to be transported in packages by special carriers called lipoproteins. These carriers are made up of cholesterol and protein. The protein makes up the covering of the lipoprotein, while the cholesterol is positioned in the middle of the lipoprotein. There are two types of lipoproteins: high density lipoprotein or HDL and low density lipoprotein or LDL.
Angina
Angina is also called chest pain. It is a symptom of underlying heart disease and can be caused by high blood levels of cholesterol. It occurs when there is reduced blood flow to the heart. When your heart lacks adequate oxygen and nutrients delivered by blood, you may experience chest pain or discomfort described as squeezing, crushing or pressure in the chest. Cholesterol has the ability to stick to and clog the blood vessels leading to the heart or the coronary arteries. This may lead to narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood also called the coronary arteries and reduction in blood flow to the heart. The result of this condition is angina.
Heart Attack
When blood flow to the heart is completely cut off, a heart attack occurs. High blood cholesterol level can increase your chances of developing heart disease such as a heart attack. Accumulation of cholesterol in the coronary arteries can lead to complete blockage of the coronary arteries and a heart attack. Heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias are complications of heart attacks.
Low Density Lipoprotein
LDL is referred to as bad cholesterol. It is the major culprit in the development of heart disease. It carries cholesterol to cells via the blood. High LDL levels can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis that can increase your risk for heart disease. LDL can be deposited on the walls of the coronary arteries. Increased deposition of LDL in combination with other substances leads to the formation of plaque on the walls of these arteries, causing hardening of the normally elastic blood vessels. Narrowing of the blood vessels occurs as a result of thick layers of plaque, while blockage can happen when the layers get so thick that they completely clog the arteries. When a piece of plaque breaks away from the walls of the arteries, it can get lodged in the artery and completely cut off blood supply to the heart.
High Density Lipoprotein
HDL is considered to be good cholesterol. Normal levels of HDL decrease your risk for developing heart disease. HDL removes plaque from the walls of the blood vessels in the body including the coronary arteries. It also prevents the conversion of LDL to plaque. These actions keep the blood vessels open and prevent a heart attack or angina.
