LDL cholesterol is often called the “bad” cholesterol because it collects in the walls of your blood vessels, raising your chances of health problems like a heart attack or stroke. Show
But cholesterol isn't all dangerous. Your body needs it to protect its nerves and make healthy cells and hormones. Some cholesterol comes from the food you eat, and your liver makes more. It won’t dissolve in blood, so proteins carry it where it needs to go. These carriers are called lipoproteins. LDL is a tiny blob made up of an outer rim of lipoprotein with a cholesterol center. Its full name is "low-density lipoprotein." LDL vs. HDLMost of the cholesterol in your body is LDL. The rest is high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. HDL takes LDL to your liver, where it’s flushed out of your body. High HDL levels might protect against heart attacks and strokes. High LDL Cholesterol DiagnosisA blood test can check your LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels. It also measures triglycerides, a type of fat that stores extra energy from your diet. High triglyceride levels can make you more likely to have heart problems. Experts recommend testing every 4 to 6 years. You’ll probably need it more often if you have heart disease or diabetes, or if high cholesterol runs in your family. Lower numbers are better when it comes to LDL cholesterol test results. The general guidelines for adults in the United States are:
If you have a condition like heart disease or diabetes, your doctor might recommend an LDL target of 70 mg/dL or below. High LDL cholesterol levels can make you more likely to have problems including: Guidelines used to focus on lowering "bad" cholesterol to a specific number. Now, you and your doctor will probably work together to come up with a way to lower it by a certain percentage. It's based on how likely it is that you’ll have heart disease or a stroke. Doctors use a calculator to estimate your odds of those problems in the next 10 years. The calculator considers several things, including: All of these things affect your chance of having a heart problem. Other risks include:
How to Lower High LDL CholesterolYour doctor will set up a plan of lifestyle changes and/or medication that can lower your cholesterol levels and your overall odds of a heart problem. Your plan might include:
SOURCES: American Heart Association: "LDL and HDL Cholesterol: What's Bad and What's Good?" Tabas, I. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2002. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: "High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know," “High Blood Cholesterol.” Balancing your cholesterol levels is one of the hardest parts of staying healthy. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort. Instead, the best way to control your cholesterol is to know everything about it — both how it affects your body, and how you can manage it. Dr. Michael Skardasis and his experienced team at Optimal Performance Medicine strive to provide you with the best information so you can live life at your healthiest. Here’s what you need to know about cholesterol so you can support your body in the best way possible. What is cholesterol?Cholesterol is a fat-like substance with a waxy consistency. Your liver makes it naturally but it can also be found in certain foods that you eat. While cholesterol has a bad reputation, your body actually needs some cholesterol to construct cell membranes, hormones, and vitamins. A basic blood screening can determine whether or not you have healthy levels of cholesterol by looking at all of the fats in your blood. Your blood reveals how many LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are present in your blood, which can say a lot about your vascular and cardiovascular health. Healthy levels of total cholesterol will fall between 125-200mg/dL. To keep your cholesterol levels in check, you have to start with a basic knowledge of the two main types of cholesterol. LDL cholesterolLow-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. The bad thing about this cholesterol is that it can cause a buildup of plaque in your arteries. The more narrow your arteries become, the greater your risk is for a wide range of potentially life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, blood clots, artery ruptures, angina, carotid artery disease, strokes, and peripheral arterial disease. High levels of LDL are often the result of poor dietary habits. Saturated fats found in foods like whole milk, butter, cheese, red meat, and eggs can make your LDL levels spike. Trans fats, like the ones found in cakes, cookies, crackers, and fried foods, are also notorious for adding unhealthy amounts of LDL into your system. HDL cholesterolThink of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol as a plumber for your arteries. Your liver produces 75% of your cholesterol and also processes and removes excess cholesterol from the foods you eat. HDL cholesterol moves through your blood vessels, picking up unnecessary cholesterol along the way, and carries it to your liver. It aids your liver in getting rid of the extra cholesterol that might have stuck around and clogged your arteries. HDL cholesterol is in lots of foods including:
Ideally, you have high levels of HDL cholesterol (>60mg/dL) and low levels of LDL (<100mg/dL). What if you have high cholesterol?High cholesterol can be a genetic or age-related issue, but it’s most commonly caused by an unhealthy diet and poor lifestyle choices. A high-fat diet, being overweight or obese, or not getting enough exercise can all contribute to dangerous levels of cholesterol. Unfortunately, there are no tangible signs and symptoms of high cholesterol and even young people can have it, so it’s important that you get your blood checked regularly, especially if you identify with any of the risk factors listed above. Dr. Skardasis and his team always begin treating your high cholesterol with lifestyle and diet modifications first. Your treatment plan might include:
No two people experience high cholesterol the same, so we work closely with you to create a plan that’s right for you. If these methods don’t prove to be successful, Dr. Skardasis can prescribe some cholesterol-controlling medications with the goal of eventually weaning you off of the prescription. Managing your cholesterol can feel like walking across a tightrope. We can help you find the right balance with our expert care and support. If you’d like more information or would like to schedule an appointment to check your cholesterol, call our office or schedule an appointment online today. Why are LDLs called bad cholesterol?LDL cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol, because it contributes to fatty buildups in arteries (atherosclerosis). This narrows the arteries and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Are there two types of LDL cholesterol?LDL consists of several subclasses of particles with different sizes and densities, including large buoyant (lb) and intermediate and small dense (sd) LDLs.
What are the 3 types of cholesterol?The types of cholesterol and lipoproteins include:. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or Bad Cholesterol — Plaque Builder. ... . High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or Good Cholesterol — The Bad Cholesterol Eater. ... . Triglycerides — Blood Fats. ... . Lp(a) Cholesterol.. Why are LDLs called bad cholesterol quizlet?LDL is called "bad cholesterol" because it may become a component of plaque. High-density lipoproteins pick up excess cholesterol from body tissues and artery walls and carry it to the liver. HDL is called "good cholesterol" because it cleans your arteries of excess cholesterol.
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