Cholesterol is a waxy substance which is made by the liver and which can also come from your diet. Your body uses cholesterol to make some hormones, bile acid salts and cell membranes. Cholesterol can also play a factor in cardiovascular disease, but not all forms of cholesterol have the same effect. There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis develops when cholesterol becomes deposited in the walls of your arteries, forming masses known as atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques cause the arterial walls to become stiff and thick, which can increase your blood pressure. The plaques can also break off, which can cause blood clots to form elsewhere in your body. Atherosclerosis can also affect the small arteries which supply blood to the heart and brain, increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Cholesterol Forms
Not all cholesterol increases your risk of developing atherosclerosis. When cholesterol is in your blood, it is found in the form of a complex known as a lipoprotein. Low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, because this form of cholesterol can become deposited in your blood vessels. Another type of lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol transports cholesterol from your blood back to your liver. This form of cholesterol can help protect you from atherosclerosis.
Lipoprotein Levels
To understand your risk of developing atherosclerosis, look at the different forms of cholesterol in your blood. These can be measured using a test known as a lipid profile, which measures cholesterol levels in terms of milligrams per deciliter of blood. If your HDL levels are above 60 mg/dL, you have a decreased risk of developing atherosclerosis. Most men have a range between 40 and 49 mg/dL, and women typically have HDL levels between 50 and 59 mg/dL. Low HDL levels can increase your risk of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, ideal LDL levels are below 100 mg/dL. Between 100 and 129 mg/dL is near optimal, between 130 and 159 mg/dL is borderline high and levels above 160 mg/dL is considered high. High levels of LDL increase your risk of atherosclerosis.
Treatment
High LDL and/or low HDL levels can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics. If you have poor cholesterol levels, reducing your consumption of saturated fat, dietary cholesterol and trans fats can improve your levels. Obesity can also negatively affect your lipid profile, so you should lose excess weight if you have an increased risk of heart disease. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as niacin, fibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins to lower your LDL levels or increase your HDL cholesterol.
