There is far more involved in the generation of heart disease than
cholesterol levels. I don't know the exact number, but I have read that a
substantial portion of those suffering fatal heart attacks do not even have
high cholesterol at all. Other important factors to consider are
CRP(C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation), fibrinogen, homocysteine,
iron stores, triglycerides, and LP(a) (Lipoprotein little A). Anyone with a
strong family history of heart disease should consider testing for these
markers, as some of them are very amenable to dietary changes. Triglycerides,
for example, will generally drop like a rock on a lowered carb diet, and some
doctors believe this is a far more important measure of heart health than
cholesterol. The Eades, in Protein Power Lifeplan, go into great detail about
this.  Adopting Paleo dietary changes such as the addition of a good source
of Omega 3 fatty acids will generally raise beneficial HDL cholesterol,
improving the HDL/LDL ratio.

Women lag behind men in heart attacks by about 10 to 15 years, and then catch
up once going through menopause. Some doctors believe it is the protective
effect of estrogen, but HRT has not borne this out. Other doctors now think
the cessation of monthly blood loss leads to the accumulation of excess iron
stores which then becomes responsible.

Heredity definitely plays a part, and some factors are controllable, while,
of course, others are not. The Eades book, again, goes into much detail about
most of the factors mentioned.

Maddy Mason
Hudson Valley, NY