Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
Evidence strongly indicates that high cholesterol levels can cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks, and strokes. The risk of coronary heart disease also rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other risk factors, (such as high blood pressure and cigarette smoking), are present, this risk increases even more.
In atherosclerosis, deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. This build up is called plaque, and it usually affects arteries of small and medium size. The flow of blood through these arteries is restricted as the inside diameter is reduced. Clotting of the blood, which often happens in the coronary arteries during a heart attack, is most likely to develop when arterial walls are roughened by such plaques.
My father had a heart attack aged 42 - he survived - and had to have to double by-passes before he was 60. He eventually had a stroke at 72 and died at age 76.