An imbalance in the different types of lipoproteins (HDL versus LDL) is a major contributing factor in which of the following diseases?

• A. Diabetes
• B. Tuberculosis
• C. Rheumatoid arthritis
• D. Atherosclerosis

Answer: (D)

An imbalance between HDL and LDL centers on how cholesterol is managed in the bloodstream. LDL delivers cholesterol to arterial walls, while HDL helps remove cholesterol from tissues and plaques by transporting it back to the liver. When LDL is high and HDL is low, cholesterol accumulates in the arterial wall, triggering inflammation and forming atheromatous plaques. Over time, these plaques narrow and stiffen arteries, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke—that’s atherosclerosis. Diabetes can raise lipid risk factors, but the direct link described here is to atherosclerosis driven by the lipoprotein imbalance. Tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis aren’t driven primarily by this cholesterol transport imbalance.