The Cholesterol Heart Disease Connection

There is no clear scientifically proven explanation as to exactly how a diet high in saturated fat could be the cause of rising cholesterol in the blood. We also do not know precisely how cholesterol could develop heart disease. But there is a very plausible theory that has a large following in the scientific community.

The LDL connection

It begins with a high level of LDL cholesterol. Excess levels of LDL cholesterol usually cause some of the excess cholesterol to move towards the artery walls. The more the LDL levels, the more cholesterol moves out of the bloodstream and into the blood vessel walls. Rigidity of the artery walls may determine how much cholesterol may adhere to the artery walls. Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and also other influences like stress might constrict artery walls. This may result in a disruption in the flow of blood and pressure. When this happens, artery walls can weaken or become scarred in the first layer of the lining allowing LDL to further embed into the artery walls.

The role of swelling

This sets off a chain reaction in which the body effectively sabotages itself. Swelling flares up in the affected region causing White blood cells or macrophages to rush to the scene. The macrophages ingest the cholesterol and become engorged further blocking the blood vessels. These cells continue to call for even more reinforcements causing even more congestion for the blood circulation. The macrophages are created to destroy infectious microbes and then disappear are fighting Lipids which by their very nature are being continually reproduced. A never ending battle rages. This leads to a steady and continuing state of inflammation inside the artery wall. At some point the overloaded macrophage is destroyed and all the cholesterol and inflammatory substances are discharged into the artery wall.

Eventually the body forms a cap of sorts over the inflamed wall section. This cap forms plaque which begins the state of atherosclerosis and the shrinking of the artery opening and resultant constriction in the blood flow. If this occur in an artery that leads to the heart, it can impede the blood circulation to the heart. This restriction however does not usually cause a cardiac arrest. Plaque deposits are full of inflammation and LDL. Immune cells, T-lymphocytes and macrophages, are the most severe in terms of containing inflammatory cells. If the plaque deposit has a thin cap, it is more likely to rupture.

Ruptures are the most common cause of heart attacks.

Should a plaque cap rupture, blood will seep into the artery wall. The normal wound response mechanism begins and clotting agents are transported to the region. Platelets enter the wound to create a scab that inside an artery wall is life threatening. This scab or clot inside an artery is called a thrombus. It can cut off blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. The section of the heart which is deprived of oxygen rich blood starts to die. This is why cardiac arrest occur. The medical term is a myocardial infarction.

Different Ways To Control And Reduce Unhealthy Cholesterol Levels
Bad cholesterol, which is also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is a bad element because the molecules cannot dissolve in the blood and these have a tendency to cling to artery walls potentially provoking a heart attack or causing other heart related diseases.

What You Must Consider About High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is something which does not cause many symptoms, which means that you could have it and not know about it. This is why it is so important to schedule any recommended checkups as suggested for your age or other risk factors.

Understanding The Likely Causes Of High Cholesterol
For most people, the cause of high cholesterol is poor lifestyle choices such as diet and our level of exercise, which can be modified. Both men and women can strive to attain and maintain a normal level of cholesterol, get their levels checked and take prompt action if needed.

Cholesterol Awareness. Know Your Risks For Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol awareness has become a very popular topic over the past 10 years or so. It seems that once we reach age 40, we are all tracking our cholesterol numbers as close as we watch our waist lines. Unfortunately both seem to increase after 40.

Preparing Cholesterol Reducing Diet Programs That Will Bestow You An Effective Result
If you have recently found out that you have high cholesterol, then one of the first steps that you need to take is to make cholesterol lowering diet plans; plans; this means creating a cholesterol lowering diet that works well for you.

What You Must Understand Regarding High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is technically known as lipids or fats . It resembles a waxy powder that looks like candle wax shavings. It is light yellow in color.