While they are not a type of cholesterol, it’s important to pay attention to triglyceride levels along with cholesterol levels. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. It also includes very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, which is related to triglycerides. This includes both LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Total cholesterol measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. In general, you want higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The liver then breaks down LDL cholesterol, allowing the body to remove it as waste. High-density lipoproteins help carry LDL cholesterol through the blood and back to the liver. Research shows a correlation between higher HDL levels and a lower risk for heart disease. HDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as “good” cholesterol.

In general, you want lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Excess LDL cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Narrow arteries make it difficult for blood to travel through the body, and it makes your heart work harder to pump blood. Too much LDL cholesterol leads to fatty buildups that clog arteries - atherosclerosis. LDL cholesterol is what’s known as “bad” cholesterol.

The two main lipoproteins responsible for transporting cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Click To Tweet There are two main types of cholesterol Cholesterol levels typically increase with age, which means that it becomes increasingly important to monitor cholesterol levels and take steps to manage your cholesterol as you get older. Some cholesterol causes plaque buildup that can clog your arteries, while other lipoproteins help remove excess cholesterol from your system. There are different lipoproteins that transport cholesterol. Not all cholesterol is the same, however. The proteins that carry cholesterol through the blood stream are known as lipoproteins. Cholesterol is a lipid, which means that it is insoluble in water, so it relies on proteins for circulation. The liver produces cholesterol: a waxy, fat-like substance that our body uses to produce new cells. Is there really good cholesterol and bad cholesterol? What is a healthy cholesterol level, and how do you manage cholesterol? Here’s some information to help you understand what cholesterol is all about. However, many people haven’t been educated about cholesterol. 285 (19):2486-97.If you’ve discussed cholesterol with your primary care physician, you know there are different types of cholesterol that affect your body in different ways. Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders 2011.Įxpert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Interpreting laboratory tests - separating diseased from disease-free persons. The effects of foods on LDL cholesterol levels: A systematic review of the accumulated evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Current trends in non-HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Serum cholesterol, lipoproteins, and the risk of coronary heart disease. Kannel WB, Castelli WP, Gordon T, McNamara PM. New and Emerging Therapies for Reduction of LDL-Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B: JACC Focus Seminar 1/4. Mosby’s Diagnostic & Laboratory Test Reference.

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