It is more the presence of small LDL particles that is relevant rather than the total cholesterol number. Higher BG also seems to cause some dysfunction in the arteries, which seems to be the major factoring of allowing those LDL particles into the wall. Then the disease process starts. My cholesterol was 175 last year, and a recent carotid sonogram showed no plaque - only 10% of people my age in the idustrialized countries my age can say this. If my blood pressure went up, I would be concerned because that would indicate arterial dysfunction.
