"Others say that triglycerides are a higher marker for heart disease."

My triglycerides were great after LC, but they were "too high to calculate" pre-lc. Total Chol went up to 324 (had been 256). HDL did go up a bit, but from 33-35! LDL barely budged. But, I do think that if I had stayed on LC my HDL would continue to improve, so that's why I'm back on LC.

I haven't yet read DR. ATKINS AGE DEFYING DIET, but I do intend to soon.

And yes, absolutely, smoking is a contributing factor in artheroschlerosis. I do intend to quit, I have several times, but I've decided to get the weight off first. I'm hoping by then I'll be able to withstand the horrors of withdrawal!