Table of ContentsView AllTable of Contents"Bad" CholesterolHealthy LDL RangesFactors Affecting LDLLowering LDL CholesterolTesting
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
“Bad” Cholesterol
Healthy LDL Ranges
Factors Affecting LDL
Lowering LDL Cholesterol
Testing
Cholesterolis a fatty substance found in the blood that the body needs for certain functions, but abnormal cholesterol levels can cause problems. Cholesterol is carried in the blood in particles of fat and protein called lipoproteins, like low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol since high levels are strongly linked to cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol is made in the liver, but we also get it from certain foods, like meat, seafood, and dairy. While genetics plays a big role in our cholesterol levels, there are some things we can do to change our levels. Read on to learn more about cholesterol, its role in disease, and how to lower LDL and risk.
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Why LDL Is “Bad” Cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried in lipoproteins in the blood. These particles carry cholesterol inside, and they have certain proteins on the surface that determine where the cholesterol goes.
Low-density lipoproteinis considered “bad” cholesterol because it causesatherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the walls of arteries. Atherosclerosis is responsible for problems like heart attacks and strokes.
High-density lipoproteinon the other hand, is considered “good” cholesterol because it brings cholesterol on a path back to the liver, where the body can get rid of it.
Conditions Linked to High LDL Cholesterol
High LDL is part of a condition known asdyslipidemia, which is also known ashyperlipidemiaorhypercholesterolemia. It’s commonly seen in the following conditions:
Dyslipidemia causes atherosclerosis, which can affect blood vessels throughout the body. In atherosclerosis, there is buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries that can cause narrowing and impair blood flow. Sometimes the plaques can rupture and cause an abrupt blockage. Atherosclerosis is involved in the following conditions:
LDL Ranges: Healthy Levels to Aim For
However, if you have have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, aortic aneurysm, or a history of heart attack, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or stroke, you should aim for an even lower LDL level.Your healthcare provider will prescribe cholesterol lowering therapies aiming to cut your LDL in half, and ideally less than 70 mg/dL.
Factors That Affect LDL Levels
Additionally, sex hormones play a role in cholesterol, with those of people assigned male at birth having higher cholesterol levels compared to people assigned female at birth. That is true until the age at which those of female sex undergomenopause, at which time their cholesterol levels increase.
Other factorsthat raise LDL include:
Actions to Take With High LDL Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol, the first thing to do is have a conversation with your healthcare provider about your individual risk of cardiovascular disease. Everyone can benefit from many of the lifestyle changes that lower LDL and/or decrease cardiovascular risk. These include:
In addition to lifestyle changes, many people needcholesterol-lowering medicationto treat high cholesterol and lower their risk of future heart attack or stroke.Statinsare the main medication used to treat high cholesterol, and several other medications may be prescribed.
How Often to Test LDL Levels
Most healthy people should have theircholesterol checkedabout every five years.If you have high cholesterol or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, your healthcare provider may recommend annual screenings. Sometimes, more frequent testing is needed, such as after adding or changing cholesterol medication.
Summary
Cholesterol is necessary in our bodies, but too much cholesterol can cause problems and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications. LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol since it is strongly linked to atherosclerosis. While genetics, age, and sex play a role, there are ways that we can lower our LDL levels. Eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, and getting regular physical exercise are steps to take to not only lower your LDL but improve your overall health.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.LDL and HDL cholesterol: “bad” and “good” cholesterol.The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:What is atherosclerosis?American Heart Association.What your cholesterol levels mean.Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al.2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(24):3168-3209. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.002MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: What you need to know.American Heart Association.Causes of high cholesterol.Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678American Heart Association.American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get a cholesterol test.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.LDL and HDL cholesterol: “bad” and “good” cholesterol.The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:What is atherosclerosis?American Heart Association.What your cholesterol levels mean.Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al.2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(24):3168-3209. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.002MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: What you need to know.American Heart Association.Causes of high cholesterol.Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678American Heart Association.American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get a cholesterol test.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.LDL and HDL cholesterol: “bad” and “good” cholesterol.The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:What is atherosclerosis?American Heart Association.What your cholesterol levels mean.Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al.2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(24):3168-3209. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.002MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: What you need to know.American Heart Association.Causes of high cholesterol.Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678American Heart Association.American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get a cholesterol test.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.LDL and HDL cholesterol: “bad” and “good” cholesterol.
The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:What is atherosclerosis?
American Heart Association.What your cholesterol levels mean.
Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al.2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(24):3168-3209. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.002
MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: What you need to know.
American Heart Association.Causes of high cholesterol.
Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678
American Heart Association.American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get a cholesterol test.
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