After extensive research, scientists have managed to discover an additional "bad" cholesterol type, lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), which is strongly linked to increasing the risk of contracting a cardiovascular disease.

Also, unlike the other well known bad cholesterol type, LDL, lipoprotein cannot be controlled by simply following a proper healthy regime of eating right and exercising. The researchers have, however, been quick to point out that the high levels of the cholesterol do not carry the same risks as high LDL levels.

The scientists have also stressed that there are some drugs that might cut the level of lipoprotein down.

"The increase in risk to people from high Lp(a) levels is significantly less severe than the risk from high LDL cholesterol levels. So Lp(a) doesn't trump LDL, which has a larger impact and which we can already control pretty effectively. The hope now is that by targeting both we could get even better risk reduction", said Professor Martin Farrall, lead author of the study carried out at Oxford University.

Details of the study have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.