Why heart attacks can still happen even when bad cholesterol is low

Even when bad cholesterol is brought down to healthy levels, some people remain at risk of heart attacks, and scientists may have discovered why. Researchers identified two types of fat-carrying particles that appear to promote inflammation and damage blood vessels through mechanisms beyond cholesterol buildup. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have uncovered new clues about why some people develop heart disease even after lowering their bad cholesterol to recommended levels. Their findings point to biological processes involving other fat-carrying particles in the blood that may contribute to cardiovascular damage in ways that go beyond cholesterol buildup. By identifying these previously poorly understood mechanisms, the research could help pave the way for more targeted strategies to prevent heart disease and potentially save lives.

Heart disease remains one of the world's leading causes of death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 17.9 million people worldwide each year, with heart attacks and strokes responsible for more than 80% of those deaths. Coronary heart disease develops when fatty deposits containing cholesterol (cholesterol) build up inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart. If left untreated, the condition can eventually cause a heart attack. Reducing LDL cholesterol, commonly known as "bad cholesterol," is a proven way to lower the likelihood of