oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in heart health beyond cholesterol

Theepochtimes.com reported that heart attacks can occur suddenly, but the underlying changes in arteries may develop quietly over decades. While cholesterol is a known factor, less visible processes inside artery walls also influence cardiovascular health.

Neuroscientist Dayan Goodenowe explained that the endothelium, a thin cell layer lining blood vessels, actively regulates blood flow and substance movement. Dysfunction in this lining, known as endothelial dysfunction, disrupts its protective role and allows harmful substances to leak into artery walls.

Oxidative stress, where reactive molecules overwhelm the body's defenses, contributes to this dysfunction. Factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes can impair the artery lining, allowing LDL cholesterol particles to enter and become trapped.

Once inside the artery wall, these LDL particles can oxidize and trigger inflammation. Immune cells then consume these particles, leading to fatty deposits that form plaques, which are central to atherosclerosis development.

Goodenowe's research suggests that understanding these cellular and vascular processes offers insights into heart health beyond standard cholesterol measurements, potentially guiding more comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessments.