High cholesterol risks include:
Stroke
Peripheral Vascular Disease
A healthy artery has a smooth even surface that contributes to an easy blood flow.
When too much cholesterol builds up in the wall of your arteries, thick deposits called plaque, form. This buildup of plaque narrows the artery and limits or even blocks the blood flow making it harder for your heart to force blood through.
When major artery supplying the heart or brain is narrowed, it can also rupture and even form blood clots. The result can be a
heart attack
or
stroke.
When the arteries that carry blood to your extremities become narrow or clogged,
peripheral vascular disease
may develop.
Research
Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. American Heart Association, 2005 Update
Organizations
- American Heart Association
American Stroke Association
National Cholesterol Education Program
