What’s The Connection Between Low Level Of Bad Cholesterol And Heart Attack?

If you thought that having high levels of bad cholesterol, or what is known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), made diabetics more prone to sudden cardiac arrest, think again. According to a new study, even low levels of LDL increase its risk, as much as high amounts of bad cholesterol. When there is excessive accumulation of cholesterol in the artery walls, a condition called atherosclerosis develops. As the arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced or restricted. Subsequently, chest pain may develop if not enough blood and oxygen reaches your heart. The heart receives oxygen through the blood. A heart attack occurs when a blockage completely cuts off blood flow to a part of the heart.

The following two types of cholesterol are common in people: low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good cholesterol’). These are the ways in which blood cholesterol can increase.

In a recent study, researchers discovered an association between low LDL and cardiac arrest. They also acknowledge that there may be other reasons for the connection. The most important finding is that statin users, who lower their LDL levels, are not affected by this connection. Dr. VK Behl, Principal Director of Cardiac Sciences at Max Hospitals and Former Head of Cardio-Thoracic Center at ALL India The Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi advised not to stop the prescribed medicines. They explained that skipping statin doses, especially when needed, could potentially increase heart attack risk.

There is also a possibility that people with low LDL may already be in subgroups that are more prone to cardiac arrest, such as those who are malnourished and have inflammatory disorders, malignancies or respiratory diseases.

The findings of this study should not alter current therapeutic measures, such as the use of statins or other effective lipid-lowering techniques. However, physicians need to be aware of the higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest in the low-LDL cholesterol group. Regarding the clinical implications of the findings, the paper advises that people “should investigate whether low LDL is a surrogate indicator of other systemic disease, such as malnutrition or inflammatory disease.”

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