12/08/2026
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM HEALTH|
Is cholesterol the only stroke risk factor for Stroke? Absolutely not.
I recently assessed a patient with very poor autonomic adaptability, showing markedly reduced sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity. Interestingly, this occurred despite having extremely low cholesterol while taking a statin medication.
This is an important reminder that LDL cholesterol is only one piece of the cardiovascular puzzle.
Your autonomic nervous system continuously regulates:
• Blood pressure stability
• Heart rate variability (HRV)
• Cerebral blood flow
• Vascular tone
• Cardiac electrical stability
• The body's ability to respond to physical and emotional stress
When autonomic function is significantly impaired, the cardiovascular system loses much of its ability to adapt to changing demands.
Research has consistently shown that reduced heart rate variability and impaired autonomic function are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. While lowering LDL cholesterol can reduce cardiovascular risk in many people, it does not directly restore autonomic nervous system function.
Even if cholesterol is "perfect," an individual may still have:
✅ Poor autonomic regulation
✅ Reduced baroreflex sensitivity
✅ Impaired vascular responsiveness
✅ Abnormal cerebral perfusion regulation
These physiological factors deserve attention because they may contribute to overall vascular risk alongside traditional markers such as LDL, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.
We evaluate not only lipid biomarkers and vascular risk factors, but also how well the autonomic nervous system is controlling the heart and blood vessels in real time. Understanding both systems provides a more complete picture of neurological and cardiovascular health.
Health is more than a cholesterol number, it's also about how well your nervous system adapts every second of every day.
If you are experiencing persistent unexplained symptoms involving dizziness, fatigue, hypermobility, autonomic dysfunction or chronic multisystem health concerns, Sydney Neuro & Integrative Health may be able to help provide a more integrated clinical perspective.
Book your complimentary 10-minute consultation with Dr. Yazbek HERE - https://the-chiro-hub.cliniko.com/bookings