Remember the studies, too -- almost all people show improvements in their cardiac risk factors on this diet -- dramatically lowered triglycerides, lowered "bad" cholesterol, increased "good" cholesterol. However, some people, probably from genetics, will see a significant increase in bad cholesterol. Did your neighbor have a family history of heart disease? Was he under a doctor's care, with attention paid to his serum lipids? More to the point, do you have a family history of heart trouble? Do you know what your cholesterol and triglyceride numbers were and are? If you're worried about the possibilities, get those numbers done. You might also start getting some of the heart-healthy supplements Dr. Atkins recommends, if you aren't already taking them.