Could I Still Have Heart Disease with Good Cholesterol Numbers?

It seems like one day, scientists say that eggs are bad for you, and the next, that eggs are healthy. 

It can be hard to know what to eat! 

Debates about dietary cholesterol and heart disease risk have been around for some time, and research results are mixed. One question less frequently discussed is whether you risk developing heart disease if your cholesterol levels are within the normal range. 

At Heart & Vascular Institute, with six Michigan locations, our highly trained providers understand that every individual is unique. Your risk factors for heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems are unlike anyone else’s.

When we discuss cardiovascular health, we prefer to talk about it in the context of your medical history, genetic profile, lifestyle, and other things that make up your risk profile. 

Cholesterol basics

Cholesterol levels measure two types: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), so-called good cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the artery-clogging kind that causes health problems.

Your body produces cholesterol and also gets it from food, called dietary cholesterol. High LDL levels are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular problems because this kind tends to cling to the artery walls when there’s too much of it in your blood. 

Other risk factors

It’s easy to get stuck on the cholesterol question, partly because it seems so prominent in the news. Keep in mind, however, that many other factors affect your heart health and risk of cardiovascular disease. 

For example, smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease that you can control. Other common ones include: 

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Lack of physical exercise/sedentary lifestyle
• Age
• A family history of heart problems

Researchers have identified other risk factors. Some, like smoking, are modifiable, meaning you can reduce their impact. Others, like age, are outside your control. 

Here are some more recently identified risk factors for cardiovascular disease: 

Systemic inflammation

Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis increase inflammation throughout the body. This systemic inflammation significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Issues related to pregnancy and childhood

A mother with gestational diabetes is more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than one who doesn’t experience it. Early-life trauma is also associated with a higher risk of heart problems. Researchers don’t fully understand these associations, but studies continue. 

Your environment

If you live in an area with poor air quality, your risk is higher. Low socioeconomic status is also a risk factor. Air pollution is associated with increased death due to cardiovascular issues and with higher rates of hypertension and diabetes. 

People with limited education and economic opportunities may have increased rates of anxiety and stress, work longer hours, and live less healthful lives generally — all risk factors. 

Your choices matter

If your cholesterol numbers look good, you have some advantages. For one thing, your risk is already a little lower than it would be with high LDL levels. For another, you’ve probably made choices that led to those normal numbers, meaning you know your choices matter. 

By eating a nutritious and heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking, you can have a big impact on your risk profile. You may not be able to change your age, family history, or socioeconomic status, but you can still work to improve your heart health. 

At Heart & Vascular Institute, we’d love to evaluate your risk and help you create a plan to limit your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. 

Schedule an appointment by phone or online today at the location most convenient for you, and let’s work together to strengthen your cardiovascular health.