Dead cells, cholesterol deposits, and cells of the immune system accumulate in the plaque.
This plaque can become weakened and erode or rupture, causing a heart attack or stroke, Williams said.
Why Might apoB Be a Better Predictor of Heart Disease Risk?
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Larger LDL particles carry more cholesterol but have a harder time getting into the arterial wall and getting stuck.
So the harm from each LDL particlebig or smallis about the same, Williams said.
Should You Test for ApoB Then?
LDL cholesterol is still a very good marker for heart disease risk, though, according to Harkin.
We have decades of literature showing it’s possible for you to lower risk if you lower LDL.
Were starting to build up that body of evidence, Harkin said.
Lorey MB, Oorni K, Kovanen PT.Updated lipoproteins induce arterial wall inflammation during atherogenesis.Front Cardiovasc Med.
2021;11(10):690. doi:10.3390/metabo11100690
