In case you're thinking you no longer have to worry about cholesterol because you've had bypass surgery, think again. The same factors that caused your arteries to clog up in the first place are still at work in your body.

In an outcome study, researchers looked at the ongoing cholesterol control efforts of 1,348 people who had had bypass surgery. All were receiving cholesterol-lowering drugs. But some were being treated more aggressively, trying to get their LDL levels below 100 mg/dL, while others were only aiming for LDL levels of 140 mg/dL or less.

After 4 years, those receiving the more aggressive treatment were 29% less likely to have had angioplasty or repeat bypass surgery. There were also 36% fewer deaths from cardiovascular causes in this group (7% vs 11%), and a 22% lower incidence of having any major cardiovascular event including heart attack, stroke, death, repeat bypass surgery, or angioplasty.

These data show that even though your clogged arteries have been bypassed, it's still important to lower your cholesterol levels, especially LDL.