Dangers of high cholesterol levels

High cholesterol levels can cause:

• Atherosclerosis - narrowing of the arteries.


• Higher coronary heart disease risk - an abnormality of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.


• Heart attack - occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This causes your heart muscle to die.


• Angina - chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood.


• Other cardiovascular conditions - diseases of the heart and blood vessels.


• Stroke and mini-stroke - occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or vein, interrupting the flow to an area of the brain. Can also occur when a blood vessel breaks. Brain cells begin to die.