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High cholesterol is the best known of all the many threats to a healthy
heart. Genetic predisposition, a diet high in cholesterol, and low levels of physical activity can contribute to this condition, which is more commonly diagnosed in men than women.
Cholesterol can build up along the walls of arteries. The buildup of this waxy, fat-like substance is referred to as arterial plaque, and causes a form of coronary artery disease known as arteriosclerosis. Patients with arteriosclerosis may develop a complete blockage, or occlusion, in one or more arteries, and thus face a dramatically higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol is a fatty substance, or lipid, which is produced in the liver and aids in the production of hormones and the digestion of fat. It attaches to proteins to form complexes called lipoproteins, which are carried through the bloodstream. There are two major types of lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol. LDL cholesterol tends to form deposits on the artery walls, and is the main source of arterial plaque buildup in the arteries. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are usually dubbed "good" cholesterol. HDLs help to clear excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Ideally, the appropriate medical tests will reveal that an individual has a low level of LDL cholesterol, a high level of HDL cholesterol, and a moderate total of both. High cholesterol is diagnosed when testing reveals cholesterol levels of 240 mg per decaliter. Medications prescribed for high cholesterol include statins, which are drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. |


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