by Alicia M Prater PhD

Created on: November 03, 2008   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

The first point to understanding the risks posed by high cholesterol is understanding what cholesterol is. Cholesterol is not an evil or dangerous molecule on its own, it is a necessary component of cell membranes.

Cholesterol molecules are both produced by the liver and ingested as part of a healthy dietary fat intake. High cholesterol, levels higher than the body uses or needs, is a risk factor for heart disease because of how the molecule is deposited in the artieries as a person ages. Cholesterol begins to be deposited in the arteries in the teen years, and the amount depends on the total blood levels of cholesterol.

Having high cholesterol levels, particularly the LDL type (LDL stands for low density lipoprotein), can cause blood vessel damage and lead to heart disease when other factors are present. High cholesterol is a worry to doctors and patients because the most common form of heart disease, coronary artery disease, is often caused by cholesterol buildup in the arteries. However, there are several other factors involved, including smoking, obesity, family predisposition, and genetic disorders, including homocystinuria, hypertension, and diabetes.

Coronary Artery Disease

There are many conditions that fall under the umbrella of heart disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevnetion (CDC), the most common heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when the supply of blood to the outer layer of the heart is inhibited or when the coronary vessels, those that transport the blood to the heart, are damaged. Blockage of the coronary arteries prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the outer portion of the heart, and the resulting damage is referred to as a myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis

Over time, the cholesterol deposited in the arteries forms atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques often develop over decades and are a common and normal occurrence in aging blood vessels. The problems occur when there is a hardening and obstruction of the arteries, called atherosclerosis. Plaque development begins in youth and is enhanced by environmental or genetic factors as a person ages; for example, the livers of some patients produce too much cholesterol, hypertension increases the stress put on the plaques and vessels, and obesity and diet increase fatty acids that perpetuate plaque buildup, to name a few.

The atherosclerotic

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>