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Here are the Key Differences Between HDL and LDL Cholesterol
About 86 million American adults have high cholesterol, placing them at risk of serious and life-threatening complications like heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and dementia. Even more alarming — only about half of those women and men are currently taking medicine that could help them manage cholesterol and reduce the risk of those complications.
At Nguyen Medical Group, Thomas Nguyen, MD, MS, and Susan Nguyen-Mui, APRN, help patients manage their cholesterol levels with healthy lifestyle changes and medication when needed.
Quick facts about cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that plays an important role in cell and organ health and function. We need some cholesterol in order to maintain those functions, and fortunately, our body is capable of producing all the cholesterol we need to stay healthy.
Cholesterol is also found in many foods — specifically, foods derived from animals. If we consume too much cholesterol, the extra cholesterol builds up in our bloodstream, sometimes collecting along the walls of our arteries and interfering with normal blood flow.
In fact, high cholesterol levels can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis or “hardening” of the arteries. When cholesterol builds up inside our arteries, it narrows the space for blood flow while also making arteries less flexible and less able to keep blood moving the way it’s supposed to.
Over time, the cholesterol deposits (or plaques) can prevent adequate oxygen and nutrients from reaching your organs (like your heart) or your limbs. Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease, two very serious medical complications that can take a major toll on your health and your quality of life.
HDL vs. LDL: What to know
Cholesterol is sometimes called “good” and “bad” cholesterol, which is a misnomer. “Bad” cholesterol refers to low-density lipoproteins or LDL. This type of cholesterol sticks to artery walls and forms plaques that lead to atherosclerosis.
“Good” cholesterol refers to high-density lipoproteins or HDL. HDL gets its “good” reputation because it helps eliminate LDL plaques, carrying some of the LDL cholesterol back to your liver where it can be processed and used or eliminated.
Although LDL can increase your risk of health problems, the truth is that LDL is not entirely “bad” — we need some for our cells to function. However, keeping both LDL and HDL within a healthy range is essential to reduce the likelihood of those problems.
Ideal ranges
Cholesterol levels are measured with a simple blood test. The test gives you values that reflect your cholesterol levels. Under current guidelines, healthy cholesterol levels are:
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL: 40 mg/dL or higher for men; 50 mg/dL or higher for women
- Total cholesterol: 200 mg/dL or lower
It’s important to note that these values are for people in good general health. If you have hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic diseases or risk factors, your recommended values can be different.
Managing your cholesterol levels
Genetics play a big role in determining your HDL levels, but you can improve those levels by:
- Quitting smoking
- Adopting a healthy diet
- Engaging in aerobic exercise on a regular basis
While HDL helps reduce the effects of LDL, extremely high levels of HDL can also be bad for your health.
For LDL, both lifestyle factors and medication can play important roles in managing your levels. ideally, you’ll keep levels within a healthy range with simple but important changes, like:
- Managing your weight
- Getting plenty of aerobic exercise
- Eating a heart-healthy diet low in unhealthy fats
- Managing underlying health problems, like hypertension
When these options aren’t enough, medications like statins can help lower your LDL levels and may provide a modest increase in HDL, too.
Don’t leave your cholesterol up to chance
High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms before serious problems develop, so regular cholesterol screening is vital for your health. To check your cholesterol or find out how we can help you manage your cholesterol levels, call 561-658-1522 to request an appointment with the team at Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, today.
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