In Brief: Cholesterol: Beyond good and bad, there's big
In Brief
Cholesterol: Beyond good and bad, there's big
Lipoprotein particles are the packages that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream. Low-density lipoprotein particles (LDLs) are considered "bad" because they let cholesterol sit and fester in arteries, allowing atherosclerotic plaque to pile up, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
But LDLs come in various sizes, and the smallest seem to have the worst health effects. Their size lets them burrow into arterial walls, triggering the atherosclerotic process.
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