Cholesterol stick to the walls of arteries creating the plaque that

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to build cells, produce hormones, and make vitamin D. But when there’s too much of it in your bloodstream, it can lead to serious health problems, especially when it builds up in the arteries. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body, and when cholesterol clogs them, it’s called atherosclerosis. This buildup can narrow the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart diseases.

So how does cholesterol build up in the arteries? It all starts with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad cholesterol.” LDL can get into the walls of your arteries, where it causes inflammation and a buildup of plaque. Over time, this plaque hardens and narrows the arteries. The harder the plaque becomes, the less space there is for blood to flow through. If a plaque ruptures, it can form a blood clot, further blocking the artery and potentially causing a heart attack or stroke.

On the flip side, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered “good cholesterol” because it helps carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be processed and removed from the body. So, while a certain amount of cholesterol is necessary for your body to function, an imbalance of too much LDL and not enough HDL can lead to serious cardiovascular problems.

Several factors can contribute to high cholesterol levels, including poor diet (especially one high in saturated fats and trans fats), lack of physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and even genetics. The good news is that you can take steps to lower your cholesterol. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and taking medications as prescribed can all help keep your cholesterol levels in check.

So, in short, cholesterol is a natural substance that plays a vital role in your body, but too much of it, especially the “bad” kind, can slowly clog your arteries and cause heart disease