The bad cholesterol is LDL (low density lipoprotein) and tends to deposit cholesterol in to the heart arteries, aiding to form plaque ( a thick, hard deposit) in the arteries which is known as atherosclerosis. A clot formation in the narrowed heart artery can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Another type of fat associated with heart disease is triglycerides. High triglycerides are associated with high total cholesterol, high LDL, low HDL levels, and with heart disease and/ or diabetes.