The word "cholesterol" may bring to mind heart problems, stroke and peripheral artery disease, but cholesterol kept at the right level is vital to the body. Cholesterol produces cell membranes; synthesizes bile acids, Vitamin D and hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. The cholesterols are LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Triglycerides are used to produce energy while LDL and HDL are the lipoproteins, a combination of fats and proteins that transport fats throughout the blood.
LDL
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol transports the majority of fat throughout the blood. According to the American Heart Association Journal, LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues where it is combined into the cell membranes. LDL is considered the "bad" cholesterol. High levels of LDL cause atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque narrowing the walls of the arteries to the heart and increasing the risk of heart disease.
HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good" cholesterol. Good cholesterol staves off heart disease. Good cholesterol works hard to scour, remove and prevent plaque build up in the arterial walls. It takes old discarded cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver to be processed and eliminated. Low levels of HDL cholesterol may not adequately perform these functions. HDL helps bile formation, metabolism and the normal functioning of hormones and cell tissues. High levels of this good cholesterol may reduce the risks of heart attack or stroke.
Normal Serum Values
In the United States and in some other countries, cholesterol levels are expressed in mg/dL or milligrams per deciliter of blood. A deciliter is one 10th of a liter or approximately 3.3 oz. Normal serum values are decided by looking at the total blood cholesterol, which is the total reading level of HDL, LDL and triglyceride. The desirable total for the normal serum level is less than 200 mg/dL. Keeping your HDL or "good cholesterol" level at 60 or above is best. Keeping your LDL or "bad cholesterol" level of 100 to 129 mg/dL is near optimal. A triglyceride level of less than 150 mg/dL is desirable, according to Mayo Clinic.
HDL/LDH Ratio
The HDL/LDL ratio looks at the ratio of good cholesterol HDL to bad cholesterol LDL. This is the key to revealing the status of your cardiovascular health. According to the EMed TV website, the HDL/LDH ratio is based on the value of dividing the LDL cholesterol into the HDL cholesterol. For example, the HDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dL and the LDL cholesterol of 150mg/dL would result in a HDL/LDL ratio of 0.33. A ratio of 0.3 is the desired goal and the ideal HDL/LDL ratio is above 0.4.
