Cholesterol is a waxy substance that's found in the fats in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. High-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein are types of cholesterol. Understanding the difference between HDL and LDL is important to help recognize your risk of heart disease.
Heart Disease
Coronary artery disease, or heart disease, is caused by atherosclerosis, which is a narrowing of the arteries to the heart. Atherosclerosis is caused by the buildup of plaque along the artery walls. The incidence of heart disease is influenced by controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. Age, heredity and sex are considered uncontrollable risk factors. Controllable risk factors include smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also controllable risk factors.
Cholesterol
According to "Patient Education Management," to help prevent heart disease, you need to know your total cholesterol number, which is the sum of all the cholesterol in the blood. In addition, you need to understand the difference between HDL and LDL. A total cholesterol less than 200mg/dL is best. "Patient Education Management," also notes that if you have high cholesterol, you're twice as likely to have heart disease as someone in the desirable range.
HDL
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the artery walls by carrying it in the blood back to the liver which will expel it. HDL is considered a "good" cholesterol because it helps protect against heart attack and stroke. With HDL, the higher the number, the better. MayoClinic.com notes 60mg/dL is best, less than 40 mg/dL is poor.
LDL
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in arteries. With LDL, the lower the value, the lower the risk for heart attack and stroke. An LDL level of 70 mg/dL is best for those who are at a high risk for heart disease. LDL values above 190mg/dL are high and indicate a greater risk for heart disease. If your LDL is 100 to 129 mg/dL, it's near ideal.
Considerations
Once you know your cholesterol levels and understand the relationship and risk for heart disease, it is important to make lifestyle modifications and seek medical treatment, if necessary.
References
- MayoClinic.com: High Cholesterol
- American Heart Association: Understand Your Risk of Heart Attack
- "Patient Education Management"; Teach Meaning Behind Cholesterol Numbers; Randall; Aug. 2008
