Research shows how inflammation and heart disease are linked

(WJBK) - It's been proven that a healthy diet and exercise can lower your risk for heart disease, along with lowering your cholesterol.

Now, new research is showing how inflammation can affect your risk as well.

Dr. Shukri David, a cardiologist, joins us to tell us more about the new research regarding inflammation.

"In very simple terms, we're talking about infection and elevation of white blood cells with plaque," he said. "This plaque becomes inflamed, it basically tears and allows for the cholesterol in the plaque to seep into the artery and cause a heart attack.

"By reducing the inflammation in the arteries, we reduce the event of a heart attack for future events."

The research points to people who have low cholesterol who still suffer heart attacks being caused by inflammation. Dr. David explains in the video above.