IS YOUR BAD CHOLESTEROL LOW ENOUGH?
There may be a difference between lowering your bad cholesterol and lowering it enough.
Talk to your healthcare provider to see if your bad cholesterol is low enough.
What is bad cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat). One type of cholesterol is called LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol. It is called “bad” cholesterol because over time it can create plaque Bad cholesterol, fats, and other substances buildup in your arteries An artery is a type of blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to tissues and organs in the body. which can lead to blockages, ruptures, and blood clots. This can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Bad cholesterol levels can rise silently and often have no symptoms.
Many people think their bad cholesterol level is low enough, but it may still be too high. If your bad cholesterol remains high, it can lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
THE RISKS OF PLAQUE BUILDUP
LDL cholesterol can combine with fat and other substances in your blood to build up in the inner walls of your arteries and narrow them. Over time, this could increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
This process is called atherosclerosis.
It is estimated that every year more than 800,000 people in the US have a heart attack,* the main cause of which is plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries.
*Based on data tabulated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) from the 2005 to 2014 ARIC study.