Dead heart cells cannot be replaced. Clinically Few woman prior to menopause suffer from coronary artery disease. The reason for this is the protective actions of estrogen. Estrogen reduces LDL accumulation, inhibits platelet aggregation, inhibits foam cell formation, decreases collagen and elastin production and, generally, acts as an anti- oxidant. After menopause, when estrogen is diminished, the protective role is also diminished and woman start suffering heart disease at rates that soon exceed those of men Total cholesterol measurements take into account all circulating cholesterol.
Total cholesterol is a good screening test.
Elevated levels of cholesterol should be followed up with a lipid profile in which HDL and LDL levels are determined . High HDL levels with low LDL is less predictive of cardiovascular risk then vice versa. The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children.