High-density and low-density lipoproteins are two types of cholesterol found in your bloodstream. According to the National Cancer Institute, cholesterols are fatlike substances made in your liver and found throughout the body. According to Michael Rozien and Dr. Mehmet Oz in "You: The Owner's Manual," the numbers representing these two kinds of cholesterol have very different meanings.
Testing Process
According to information in Kaiser Permanente's "Healthwise Handbook," a cholesterol test is a necessary part of preventive care for anybody over 30. You must fast for 9 to 12 hours prior to having blood drawn for this test, because eating can artificially elevate your cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels, giving a skewed result.
LDL Basics
Low-density lipoproteins in normal concentrations are needed for building cells and tissues, as well as producing hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. At high concentrations, these softer cholesterols tend to clump in the blood stream and are a component of plaque, which narrows arteries and capillaries and reduces their flexibility. According to Oz and Rozien, these pathological effects of excessive LDL can diminish or even obstruct blood flow altogether, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
LDL Results
Your LDL results are measured in milligrams of LDL per deciliter of blood. According to MayoClinic.com, how low your LDL needs to be depends on your overall cardiovascular health. Those already at high risk of heart disease should strive to keep their LDL below 70 milligrams per deciliter. Patients with good heart health should maintain LDL levels below 130 milligrams per deciliter.
HDL Basics
Rozien and Oz describe high-density lipoproteins as sleeker and more compact than LDLs. Both low- and high-density lipoproteins ferry cholesterol around in the bloodstream; but the structure of HDLs prevents them from clumping as LDLs do, and HDLs scrub the bloodstream and arterial walls of excessive LDLs and carries them to the liver for disposal. High HDL levels can improve your cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
HDL Results
MayoClinic.org reports that a healthy HDL level for men starts at 40 milligrams per deciliter or above, 50 or better for women. Ideal levels of HDL for both sexes is 60 or higher.
Total Cholesterol
Low LDL is good. High HDL is also good. Total cholesterol is calculated by adding together the numbers for HDL plus LDL plus one-fifth of triglycerides. Triglycerides are the form in which fats are present in the blood to be used for energy and other purposes. According to MayoClinic.com, healthy total cholesterol results are below 200 milligrams per deciliter.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Cholesterol Definition
- "You: The Owner's Manual"; Michael Rozien & Mehmet Oz; 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Cholesterol Levels
