Key takeaways
LDL cholesterol, often called “bad cholesterol,” can accumulate in the arteries, potentially leading to blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.
HDL cholesterol, known as “good cholesterol,” helps eliminate excess LDL cholesterol from the body, reducing the risk of arterial plaque buildup.
Managing cholesterol involves adopting a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, stress management, and avoiding tobacco, and sometimes requires medication.
Your body needs cholesterol to function properly, including making hormones and vitamin D, and supporting digestion.
Your liver generates enough cholesterol to handle these tasks, but your body doesn’t just get cholesterol this way.
Food is the main source of cholesterol, especially meat and dairy. If you eat a lot of these foods and have risk factors, your cholesterol levels may become elevated over time.
Lipoproteins are made of fat and proteins. They serve as carriers for cholesterol to move through your body.
is popularly known as “good cholesterol” because it collects other types of cholesterol from the body and transports them to the liver to be released from the body.
transports large amounts of cholesterol to the arteries for cell repair. Often called “bad cholesterol” because when it occurs in excess, it can build up in artery walls.
Too much cholesterol in the arteries may lead to a buildup of plaque known as
, which can increase the risk of blood clots.
If a blood clot breaks away and blocks an artery in your heart or brain, you may have a
or
.
Plaque buildup may also reduce blood flow and oxygen to major organs. Oxygen deprivation to your organs or arteries may lead to other complications, like kidney disease or
.
Optimal levels of HDL can protect your body from LDL. HDL helps rid the body of excess LDL cholesterol, making it less likely to end up in the arteries.
Lifestyle factors are the main factor in cholesterol levels. You may have higher LDL levels and lower HDL levels if you:
have
follow a diet high in red meat, full-fat dairy products, saturated fats, trans fats, and processed foods
have a large waist circumference (over 40 inches for males or over 35 inches for females)
do not engage in regular physical activity and exercise
use tobacco
In some cases, high LDL is inherited. This condition is called
familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)
. FH is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the ability of a person’s liver to get rid of extra LDL cholesterol.
This may lead to high LDL levels and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke at a young age.
You may not even know if you have high cholesterol because it doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms.
The only way to find out your
is through a blood test that measures cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL).
When you get your cholesterol numbers checked, you may receive results for:
Triglycerides: This number may vary per laboratory, but it should usually be below 150 mg/dL. Triglycerides are a common type of fat. If your triglycerides are high, your LDL is also high, or your HDL is low, your risk of developing atherosclerosis may be elevated.
HDL: The higher this number, the better. It should be at least higher than 50 mg/dL for females and 40 mg/dL for males.
LDL: The lower this number, the better. Experts recommend LDL to be no more than 130 mg/dL if you don’t have a history of heart disease, blood vessel disease, or diabetes. If you do have a history of these conditions, LDL should be no more than 70 mg/dL or 55 mg/dL if a doctor believes you are at an increased risk.
Total blood cholesterol: This includes your HDL, LDL, and 20% of your total triglycerides, and it should be within the normal range your laboratory sets.
Experts often recommend lifestyle changes to manage high LDL and total cholesterol levels, including:
eating a
and moving more throughout the day
maintaining the
for your age and height
, if you smoke
To
, you may want to follow the same guidelines and avoid trans and saturated fats in your diet.
Sometimes lifestyle changes aren’t enough, especially if you have FH. You may need ongoing management with one or more
cholesterol-lowering medications
, such as:
to help your liver get rid of cholesterol
bile-acid binding medications to help your body use extra cholesterol to produce bile
cholesterol absorption inhibitors to prevent your small intestines from absorbing cholesterol and releasing it into your bloodstream
injectable medications that cause your liver to absorb more LDL cholesterol
Medications and supplements to reduce triglyceride levels may also be used, such as
and
.
LDL refers to a low-density protein that carries cholesterol to the arteries. If there’s too much LDL cholesterol, you may have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
HDL is a high-density protein that collects cholesterol from the body and takes it to the liver for removal. Optimal levels of HDL help the body get rid of LDL cholesterol, so the higher your HDL, the better.
A blood test can let you know how much LDL and HDL you have, and a doctor can advise on the next steps if you have high cholesterol.