How does high cholesterol play a role in stroke risk?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : cvahelp : One Thread

When there is too much cholesterol in the body, the excess cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels, causing "plaque" (PLAK) deposits or what our parents or grandparents used to call "hardening of the arteries." Pieces of these plaque deposits can break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. The narrowed arteries that are clogged with plaque can also lead to strokes because the blood flow is blocked in the major vessels--the carotid and vertebral arteries--carrying blood to the brain.

(Prepared by Lynn O'Donnell)

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2004


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