Cholesterol Veers Off Script

摘要

Cholesterol numbers are a mantra of medicine, and millions of us regularly supply a vial of blood to measure this waxy substance that circulates in the bloodstream. All cells need it to survive. But it also feeds plaques in the arteries that can break open, causing a heart attack. Controlling cholesterol is gospel in cardiovascular medicine; it guides treatment and sells billions of dollars' worth of drugs. It has also been reinforced by a Hollywood-like story line: A villainous "bad" cholesterol clogs arteries, and a valiant "good" cholesterol clears them.