Everyone understands the importance of maintaining healthy
cholesterol levels to protect their heart, but many are not
aware of how high cholesterol levels threaten the health of
their entire vascular system. Vascular diseases cause strokes,
death from ruptured aortic aneurysm, pain when walking, or leg
amputation in the worst cases. High levels of low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol are one of the major risk factors for
vascular disease that can result in paralysis, blindness, or
speech abnormality due to stroke and even death by a ruptured
aortic aneurysm. The vascular system is made up of all the
body’s arteries and veins. Healthy vessels are smooth and
unobstructed, allowing oxygen-rich blood to flow freely and
deliver glucose and nutrients to the vital organs, brain, legs,
and arms. Typically with age, the vessels build up plaque, a
sticky substance made up mostly of fat and cholesterol. The
plaque narrows the passageway within the vessels and causes them
to become stiff. Vascular disease results when th