Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and Lp(a) are the four components of cholesterol. LDL, along with triglycerides and Lp(a), are the bad forms of cholesterol that cause health problems. HDL is the good form of cholesterol. A lipid panel is a blood test that is used to determine your cholesterol levels.
Level Interpretation
When your doctor orders a lipid panel, he will let you know what your results are. These results include your total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Your total cholesterol result should be 200 mg/dL or less. Your HDL should be at least 40 mg/dL. Your LDL should be 100 mg/dL or less. Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL. If your total cholesterol, LDL or triglycerides are higher than these levels, or if your HDL level is lower than that, your doctor may decide that your cholesterol levels need to be treated.
Contributing Factors
Factors that can lead to high cholesterol, including high LDL, include a family history of high cholesterol, your age, what you eat, how active you are and how much you weigh. Additionally, women who have gone through menopause may have higher LDL levels than before she went through menopause, notes the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Cigarette smoking also increases your LDL level. Diabetes, angina and diseased blood vessels also contribute to high cholesterol. Generally, the more risk factors you have, the higher your chance of developing high cholesterol.
Health Effects
LDL cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that slowly builds up against the walls of the arteries. It is one of the components of plaque, which is a hard substance that narrows and hardens the arteries and leads to decreased blood flow to organs, such as the brain and heart. As the plaque builds up and the amount of blood begins to diminish, your organs will get less oxygen. This may lead to chest pains if the arteries to the heart are affected. When the plaque builds up enough to completely or almost completely block the blood flow, you may have a heart attack or stroke.
Controlling LDL
There are two therapies used to control LDL: therapeutic lifestyle changes and prescription medications. If your LDL level isn't too high and if you don't have many risk factors, you may be instructed to follow therapeutic lifestyle changes, but if your LDL levels are high and you have other risk factors, you will be instructed to follow the therapeutic lifestyle changes and start on a prescription drug called a statin. Therapeutic lifestyle changes to manage LDL include exercising at least 30 minutes daily on at least five days per week, eating a low-fat heart healthy diet and keeping your weight within healthy limits.
