The study looked at 1.8m adults over 40 with a follow-up period up to 23 years Of 953,635 people who had increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 2.3 per cent, or 21,602, went on to be diagnosed with the disease While elevated levels of total cholesterol were also associated with an increased risk, this link was weaker suggesting it is largely driven by LDL The study was led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine