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Why does high LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease?

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Trans fat Commercially manufactured foods, including cookies, doughnuts, and muffins, often contain trans fats.

High levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) increase the risk of heart disease because they are the primary carriers of cholesterol that accumulate in the walls of blood vessels.12

When LDL levels are high, cholesterol and other fatty substances deposit in the innermost layer of the arteries, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis. These deposits, or plaques, thicken and calcify over time, narrowing the vessel channels and restricting blood flow. This process can eventually lead to the formation of blood clots, which may cause heart attacks or strokes.13

While trans fats are often found in processed food products, they are particularly harmful because they raise LDL cholesterol levels similarly to saturated fats while simultaneously lowering protective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. By accelerating the buildup of arterial plaques, high LDL concentrations directly increase susceptibility to coronary heart disease.412