Health vs. Elevated Cholesterol Levels

Elevated levels of cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream tend to be a precursor to a disease of the walls of the arties called "atherosclerosis." Cholesterol has sharp pin-like projections that have the tendency to attach to the walls of the arteries when there is too much circulating cholesterol. Since the liver can only clear a certain level, the balance may build up and find a home in the arterial walls.

Another factor that increases the risk of this buildup is high blood pressure, which can force the pin-like projections into the walls of the arteries, leaving a sharp edge for extraneous materials and heavy metals to readily attach to. This results in a deposit on the walls of the arteries called "plaque." When the plaque builds up into a large deposit it will either partially or completely block the artery, blood flow is reduced, the heart does not get adequate oxygen and either a heart attack or sudden death occurs.

There are additional factors that enter into the equation such as heredity, smoking, overweight, stress, age, diet, lack of exercise, etc.

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