High triglyceride levels make LDL more likely to cause coronary lesions. The levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol and their components in your body can be tested by lipid analysis. A young woman with no risk factors should have lipid analysis every 3 to 5 years to determine her levels. The lower the level of LDL and the higher the level of HDL the better. Levels of LDL cholesterol can be lowered by a low-cholesterol diet, exercise, and weight control.
Some people inherit a trait that causes the liver to make too much cholesterol.
Such people need to take medications that act on the liver to lower LDL levels. Older women and women with risk factors should have their lipid analysis done every 1 to 3 years. Often the disease is not recognized until it is in later stages. With hypertension blood vessel walls become irritated by the increased pressure in the force of rushing blood. This irritation damages the vessel wall, causing plaque to form.