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High cholesterol levels. Computer artwork balls of cholesterol in a blood vessel. Cholesterol is a lipid, a fat-like substance. High blood levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol compared to HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol are thought to raise the risk of atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls. This is a major cause of heart attack and stroke.

Fat levels in blood predict risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease

3 March 2022

Measuring the levels of 184 fat molecules in the blood could improve how we assess people’s risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease

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