What effect can high LDL cholesterol have on the body?
If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries that supply vital organs such as the heart, kidney, and brain. Over time, this cholesterol can collect with other substances to form a plaque. Plaques are thick, hard deposits that can narrow your arteries and decrease blood flow to the body. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If this plaque becomes damaged, a clot (thrombus) can form on the site of damage, which can block blood flow to part of the heart and cause a heart attack, or the brain and cause a stroke. What are risk factors for high cholesterol? The main factors that can affect your cholesterol level include: diet, age, weight, gender, genetics, diseases and lifestyle. Diets high in saturated fats and cholesterol will increase your cholesterol level. Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age. Overweight individuals tend to have higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL. Men tend to have higher ch
