Scribd
Upload
58 views

Good vs. Bad Cholesterol: Blood Test View An Animation of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol - LDL ("bad") and HDL ("good"). LDL cholesterol can build up in the arteries and cause health issues, while HDL cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from the arteries. Triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol are also forms that contribute to total cholesterol levels. High levels of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, and low levels of "good" cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease.

Uploaded by

SYED MUSTAFA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
58 views

Good vs. Bad Cholesterol: Blood Test View An Animation of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol - LDL ("bad") and HDL ("good"). LDL cholesterol can build up in the arteries and cause health issues, while HDL cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from the arteries. Triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol are also forms that contribute to total cholesterol levels. High levels of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, and low levels of "good" cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease.

Uploaded by

SYED MUSTAFA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Good vs.

Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood. It has to
be transported to and from the cells by carriers
called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or
LDL, is known as "bad" cholesterol. High-
density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as "good"
cholesterol. These two types of lipids, along
with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make
up your total cholesterol count, which can be
determined through a blood test.
View an animation of cholesterol.
LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed
the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries
and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart
attack or stroke can result.
HDL (Good) Cholesterol
About one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect
against heart attack. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for
women) also increase the risk of heart disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry
cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some
experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup.
Triglycerides
Triglyceride is a form of fat made in the body. Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity,
cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of total calories or more).
People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL (bad) level and a low HDL (good)
level. Many people with heart disease and/or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.
Lp(a) Cholesterol
Lp(a) is a genetic variation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. A high level of Lp(a) is a significant risk factor for the premature
development of fatty deposits in arteries. Lp(a) isn't fully understood, but it may interact with substances found in artery walls
and contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits.
Learn about hyperlipidemia.
This content was last reviewed on 12/10/2012.
26 4.9K
Updated:May 1,2013

You might also like