Which cholesterol is good

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This can result in atherosclerosis, a plaque buildup that can even cause heart attack and stroke. Triglycerides make up the third component of cholesterol and act as unused calories that are stored as fat in the blood. Eating more calories than you burn can cause triglycerides to build up in the bloodstream, increasing your risk for heart attacks.

Your physician will perform a simple blood test and check your other risk factors to find your counts. European Heart Journal.

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This narrows the arteries and increases the risk for heart attack , stroke and peripheral artery disease PAD. Only one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet. A high triglyceride level combined with high LDL bad cholesterol or low HDL good cholesterol is linked with fatty buildups within the artery walls, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.