3. Coronary Artery Disease
Our body produces two different forms of cholesterol. HDL, (think “H” for “happy,”) is a good form of cholesterol that’s important for normal heart function. However, “LDL,” the dangerous type of cholesterol, can form atherosclerosis plaque on the walls of the arteries when in high concentrations in the blood. Medical science states that anyone with a blood serum LDL cholesterol reading of greater than 70-mg per d/L is at risk of developing atherosclerosis.
When the arteries become blocked by plaque, it increases blood pressure, leading to a condition known as “hypertension.” eventually, hypertension leads to the plaque dislodging from the artery wall and forming a clot that can lead to the onset of a sudden heart attack.
Risk factors for developing CAD include a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet choices, such as a diet high in trans-saturated fat and sugar from consuming too much fast food and sugary soda. Lowering your intake of these foods will improve your cholesterol ratio.