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HIGH CHOLESTEROL: PART 2 Of 5
We have already covered all key facts about High Cholesterol. You should already have a fair sense of this
important condition. We've looked at the basic science, what causes High Cholesterol, and how it is diagnosed
in some detail.
this week we'll look at why this is all so very important.
ATHERO-WHAT?
atherosclerosis is the key here. Atherosclerosis refers to narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits. Since
arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen all around the body, you can easily understand that narrow
arteries are bad. Very bad in fact.
hIgh cholesterol or more specIfIcally, hIgh ldl ("bad cholesterol") leads
to atherosclerosIs. atherosclerosIs causes:
• heaRt disease. Angina, heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heart beat).
• BRain pRoBlems. Stroke, Intracranial haemorrhage (bleeding in or around the brain), and impaired
cognitive or intellectual functioning.
• eye pRoBlems. Various form of retina damage that lead to impaired vision and or blindness.
• Kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.
• pooR CiRCulation also known as peripheral vascular disease that can lead to gangrene and amputations.
WHAT IS REALLY ImPORTANT IS:
1. These are all clearly established facts.
2. most of these risks start at even slightly high cholesterol levels
3. High Cholesterol is manageable
4. When cholesterol is managed and controlled, all of these risks can be significantly reduced
