India, Sept. 24 -- Keeping cholesterol in check can help lower the risk of a heart attack. High levels of LDL cholesterol can contribute to plaque build-up in the coronary arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and block blood flow, causing a heart attack. However, cholesterol is only part of the picture: a person can still have a heart attack even if their cholesterol levels are within the normal range. So, why does this happen, and what other factors affect heart risk?

Dr Sunil Kumar Mandal, senior consultant and interventional cardiologist at Kailash Hospital, Greater Noida, explained to HT Lifestyle why normal cholesterol levels do not necessarily mean a person is safe from a heart attack.

"Each week, I meet patients ...