Understanding the effects of LDL and HDL cholesterol can help you determine your risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Your body uses cholesterol to make bile salts, hormones and cell membranes, but high levels of cholesterol in your blood can also be dangerous. Not all types of cholesterol are harmful, however, so it is important to look at the big picture.
Why Cholesterol Matters
Although cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance that plays an important role in the body, it can also cause a condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol accumulates on the walls of the arteries in the form of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques can make your arteries stiff and narrow, which increases your blood pressure and puts extra strain on your heart and kidneys. Atherosclerotic plaques can also partially or completely block the small arteries that provide blood to the brain and heart, increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Lipoproteins
When cholesterol is in the blood it can come in multiple forms, known as lipoproteins. The two main lipoproteins are low-density and high-density lipoproteins, or LDL and HDL. LDL cholesterol is thought of as "bad" cholesterol because it causes cholesterol to become deposited on the walls of the arteries. HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, can prevent atherosclerosis by transporting cholesterol from the blood to the liver. HDL is therefore sometimes called "good" cholesterol.
Levels
Your LDL and HDL levels are measured as part of a blood test known as a lipid profile, which usually gives results in terms of "mg/dL" -- milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. High HDL levels, or above 60 mg/dL for both men and women, indicate a reduced risk of developing heart disease, according to LabTestsOnline. Borderline high LDL is between 130 and 159 mg/dL; high LDL is between 160 and 189 mg/dL and very high LDL is greater than 190 mg/dL. The higher your LDL level, the greater your risk of atherosclerosis.
Treatments
Even if you have high HDL levels, high LDL levels can be problematic. You can reduce your LDL levels in a number of ways. Medications such as statins, fibrates, cholesterol-absorption inhibitors and bile-acid binding resins can all reduce your LDL cholesterol levels, according to Mayo Clinic. You can also lower your LDL levels by reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet, losing excess weight and getting more exercise.
