As cholesterol accumulates in the blood vessels, the passageways become narrower and narrower, blocking the flow of blood and causing the heartbeat and pulse to speed up and the arteries to harden. Those with high cholesterol are three times as likely to have cardiovascular disease or suffer a stroke. "Young adults in the prime of their lives are the economic pillars of their families," Yang notes.
因為膽固醇會囤積在血管內，血管會越來越窄，阻礙血流，迫使心搏加快來因應，動脈硬化的程度也隨之飆高；膽固醇過高者，罹患心血管疾病、發生腦中風的機率更是一般人的 3 倍。