Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the biggest cause of death worldwide. More than 17 million people died from CVDs in 2008. More than 3 million of these deaths occurred before the age of 60 and most of these could have been prevented.

The underlying disease process in the blood vessels that results in coronary heart disease (heart attack) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is responsible for most CVD diseases. In 2008, there were 17.3 million deaths due to cardiovascular causes, heart attacks caused 7.3 million deaths and strokes caused 6.2 million deaths. (WHO)

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad' cholesterol can combine with fat and other substances. Especially for Small dense LDL (LDL-small-dense), it has a smaller particle size so it can easily penetrate the endothelium into the intima layer of blood vessels.

Excessive amounts of cholesterol in the blood will easily stick to the inner walls of the blood vessels. Furthermore, LDL will penetrate the blood vessel walls through the endothelial cell layer, enter the deeper layers of the blood vessel walls, namely the intima. This oxidized LDL will undergo a second (perfect) oxidation stage, in which macrophages will take up oxidized LDL in an uncontrolled manner (phagocytosis) which then forms foam-like cells. Foam cells - formed foam cells accumulate to form atheroma that protrudes in the lumen/hole of the blood vessels resulting in atherosclerosis. (Dr. Danny Iskandar, Sp.S)

Figure 1. The mechanism of atherosclerosis

Hytolive, with the active ingredient Hydroxityrosol, derived from the best olives, is able to prevent the occurrence of oxidized LDL so that it will prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis.

Data source: Global Atlas on cardiovascular disease prevention and control.