If you're on the fence about whether you should check and control your cholesterol, perhaps this new research will get you off that fence. This is about LDL cholesterol – the so-called "bad" cholesterol. It’s been known for a long time that high levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The new information from this study is that LDL cholesterol is now suspected of contributing to venous thrombosis, which is the term for blood clots that typically form in the legs or arms and can be fatal if they dislodge and travel to the lungs, a condition called embolism. Other risk factors for this form of blood clot include very prolonged sitting such as during long-distance air travel, or prolonged immobility caused by sickness or recent surgery. Millions of people develop these blood clots every year and many die from them. The message is clear. Know your cholesterol, and work with your healthcare provider to keep bad cholesterol in check.
