Definition: An artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygen, nutrients,
and other components found in blood from the heart to various organs and tissues
of the body. Arteries are generally larger and possess a thicker layer of smooth
muscle compared to veins.
High cholesterol levels can increase your risk of arterial disease. When arteries become inflamed, circulating cholesterol can deposit on these area of the artery and accumulate. This process, referred to as atherosclerosis, can contribute to partially narrowed or blocked arteries, preventing blood from traveling to affected areas of the body.
