Can you have normal cholesterol and still have blocked arteries?

Optimal cholesterol levels don’t always translate to perfect heart health, based on a recent study that found half of healthy patients with normal cholesterol levels have dangerous plaque build-up in their arteries.

Does high cholesterol always mean heart disease?

The bottom line. High blood cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease. However, dietary cholesterol has little to no effect on blood cholesterol levels in most people. More importantly, there is no significant link between the cholesterol you eat and your risk of heart disease.

Is high cholesterol really a problem?

Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries.

Can you have a heart attack if your cholesterol is normal?

Most major heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol, research finds.

Can you have a heart attack if you don’t have high cholesterol?

Total cholesterol, when considered alone, is a poor predictor of heart disease and heart attack. Studies show that total cholesterol levels among people who’ve had heart attacks are almost the same as those of people who haven’t, and that roughly half of heart attacks occur in people without high cholesterol.

What percentage of heart attack victims have high cholesterol?

Summary: A new national study has shown that nearly 75 percent of patients hospitalized for a heart attack had cholesterol levels that would indicate they were not at high risk for a cardiovascular event, according to current national cholesterol guidelines.

How do they check for clogged arteries?

A CT coronary angiogram can reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. Prior to the test, a contrast dye is injected into the arm to make the arteries more visible. The test typically takes 30 minutes to complete.

What are the signs of plaque in arteries?

The most common symptoms of plaque in your arteries include chest pain, leg pain or numbness and weakness in your extremities. According to the Merck Manual , atherosclerosis is expected to be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. If you want to check if you have plaque buildup in your arteries, there are ways to detect this condition.

What are the symptoms of arterial plaque?

At other times, especially when the artery is blocked by 70% or more, the buildup of arterial plaque may cause symptoms that include: Chest pain. Shortness of breath. Heart palpitations. Weakness or dizziness. Nausea. Sweating.

Why does cholesterol cause heart disease?

When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries, causing a process called atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease. The arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart muscle is slowed down or blocked.