Plaque formation can cause the artery walls to bulge out, weakening them in the process.
The clot can rapidly grow in size until it blocks the artery and prevents normal blood flow.
Blockage of heart arteries leads to a heart attack, whereas blockage of brain arteries leads to a stroke.
Depending on where the clot forms, this can lead to either deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
According to onestudy, high LDL cholesterol levels were identified as a risk factor for developing VTE.
How Can You Reduce Your Risk for Blood Clots?
Managing your cholesterol is an important part of keeping your heart healthy.
The first step is regular cholesterol screening.
For more information about blood clot prevention, be sure to visit theWorld Thrombosis Day Campaign.
Rachel Fairbank is a freelance science writer who trained as a geneticist before switching to science writing.