The Truth About Inflammation and Heart Disease

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Living Abundantly

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Introduction: Rethinking Heart Health

For decades, we’ve been told that cholesterol and calcium buildup are the culprits behind heart disease. But what if the real enemy isn’t cholesterol or calcium at all?

In this post, we’ll break down the role of HDL, LDL, and calcium. We will also explain why chronic inflammation is the hidden cause of arterial plaque. It is also responsible for calcification and cardiovascular risk.

What Are HDL and LDL? Why You Actually Need Both

Cholesterol is essential to life — your body can’t function without it.

  • LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) delivers cholesterol from the liver to your cells, where it’s used for:
    • Building cell membranes
    • Producing hormones
    • Synthesizing vitamin D
    • Making bile acids for fat digestion
  • HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) acts as a cleanup crew, carrying unused cholesterol back to the liver for recycling or excretion.

Despite what you may have heard, LDL is not “bad.” Both HDL and LDL are necessary for your body to regulate and repair itself.

What About Calcium Buildup in Arteries?

Many people worry when they hear about calcium deposits or a high Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score. But calcium buildup is not a disease — it’s a healing response.

Here’s what’s actually happening:

  1. Tissue damage occurs in your blood vessels, often due to chronic inflammation.
  2. Your body sends cholesterol and calcium to patch up the damage.
  3. Over time, these “patches” can harden into plaques.

This process is called atherosclerosis. It’s not caused by cholesterol or calcium themselves. Instead, it’s caused by inflammation that signals the need for repair.

Cholesterol and Calcium Are Not the Villains

Let’s be clear:

Cholesterol is not the problem.
Calcium is not the problem.
The plaque buildup itself isn’t even the problem.
The problem is chronic inflammation.

Inflammation is the root trigger that causes the body to deposit cholesterol and calcium at the site of damage.

What Causes Inflammation in the First Place?

Chronic inflammation can be driven by many factors, including:

  • Poor diet (high in sugar, seed oils, and processed food)
  • Nutrient deficiencies (especially magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3s)
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Chronic stress
  • Poor sleep
  • Toxins and gut imbalances

When inflammation is left unchecked, the repair signals keep firing — and cholesterol and calcium keep piling up.

How to Reduce Inflammation Naturally

Instead of trying to lower cholesterol at all costs, the better strategy is to reduce inflammation at its root:

  1. Eat anti-inflammatory foods: Focus on vegetables, healthy fats, grass-fed meats, and fermented foods.
  2. Avoid inflammatory triggers: Eliminate seed oils, processed sugars, and ultra-processed snacks.
  3. Get moving: Even light exercise helps reduce systemic inflammation.
  4. Support gut health: Probiotics, fiber, and removing food sensitivities can calm inflammation.
  5. Manage stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which fuels inflammation.
  6. Correct nutrient deficiencies: Especially vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3s, and antioxidants.

Final Thoughts: Inflammation is the Real Risk Factor

If you’re seeing signs of calcium buildup or high cholesterol, don’t panic. Instead of blaming cholesterol or calcium, find out what your body is trying to repair. Consider how you can support true healing.

By addressing chronic inflammation, you can stop the damage before it starts — and avoid the dangerous build-up that follows.

Want to Learn More?

At Living Abundantly, we help you get to the root of chronic illness. We use a whole-person approach that includes nutrition, lifestyle, mindset, and testing.


👉 Explore Supplements that support cholesterol balance naturally
👉 Read More: The Illusion of Disease – Reframing Health Through Systems and Self

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