Atherosclerosis: Causes, Risks and Treatments

By EmpowHER

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Too much LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood may build up, leading to the formation of plaques and atherosclerosis, rendering you more susceptible to coronary artery or heart disease, heart attack, stroke or even death.

Funded by the British Heart Foundation or BHF, Warwick researchers identified a form of LDL cholesterol -- MGmin-low-density lipoprotein -- which is described as "ultra bad". More common in persons with type 2 diabetes and the elderly, MGmin-LDL is super-sticky in comparison to normal LDL cholesterol. Because of its super-sticking power, it’s more likely to stick to artery walls thereby increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart-related disease.

MGmin-LDL cholesterol is created when sugar is added to normal LDL cholesterol, which explains why this type of super-sticky LDL cholesterol is more common in those with type 2 diabetes. It also explains why some diabetics taking the drug metformin exhibit a reduced risk of heart disease.

https://www.empowher.com/high-cholesterol/content/extreme-super-bad-super-sticky-cholesterol