Inflammation causes heart disease, not cholesterol. I look at inflammation markers like A1c, CRP and triglyceride to HDL ratio (which his is great). Also, the Japanese Lipid Panel study of over 47,000 people found that those with the HIGHEST death rates had total cholesterol of 160 or less. Those with the LOWEST death rates had total cholesterol of 200-259. More about cholesterol here:
As for arteries, take a couple of these each day. K2 regulates Calcium metabolisms so it gets it out of where it shouldn’t be (plaque) and into where it should (bones). And yes, keeping carbs at 20g a day or less would keep inflammation low.
http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B004QD4PHQ