Coronary heart disease and lower cholesterol are strongly related. Coronary heart disease is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the blood vessels that provide blood to the heart. This dangerous condition also called coronary arteries, results from the build up of cholesterol into artery walls, causing the arteries to become hard and narrow, making it difficult for blood to flow through and distribute oxygen to the heart, cells and brain. When the arteries are narrow, a condition called atherosclerosis, flow of blood to the heart slows, making the heart pumping action to slow as well. Atherosclerosis, aggravates among diabetics, people who have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels and people who smoke.

When atherosclerosis occurs, the result is often chest pains (or angina which may sometimes have the same symptoms as a heart attack) and other symptoms related to heart problems. Angina, is not a heart attack, but should serve as a warning for serious heart problems resulting from the uncontrolled cholesterol levels.

When the arteries are completely clogged with build up of plague, blood cannot supply oxygen to the heart and the result is a heart attack or even stroke.

Statistically, CHD is the major cause of death for men and women alike in the United States. After the age of 40, there is 49% chance of men having a coronary heart disease and a chance of 32% for women to suffer from this dangerous condition.

Failing to lower cholesterol levels can result is serious heath problems, on of them is heart attacks, which occurs when the blood vessels to the heart are completely blocked with cholesterol build up. Another fatal condition related to the heart that stems from unmanaged high cholesterol levels, is the disruption of the heart’s rhythm due to the slowing of blood flow to the heart, causing the heart not to be provided with the required amounts of oxygen it needs.

The conclusion is clear: to prevent coronary heart disease, slowing of heart rhythm or heart attacks, cholesterol levels must be regularly monitored and if diagnosed as higher than normal, a low cholesterol diet combined with regular exercise should be practiced in order to lower cholesterol and prevent these fatal conditions.