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December 18, 2017 | by Alison Sage, D.O.
What, exactly, is the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol (which one’s good)? And what are triglycerides? Why should you care about how many white or red blood cells you have circulating? Because your blood can tell you a lot about how healthy you are. There is so much information pumping through your veins. Doctors can see whether you’re diabetic, anemic or fighting an infection. They can gather clues to how well your liver, heart or thyroid is working. Blood
tests are often part of a routine check-up, as doctors analyze how your body is working. Unless you’re a medical professional, however, the results can be hard to decipher.
It’s important to find a physician you feel comfortable with and confident in, who partners with you in your personal health goals. Find the right Healthy Driven doctor for you.
You may be interested inIf you have reached this screen, your current device or browser is unable to access the full Edward-Elmhurst Health Web site. To see the full site, please upgrade your browser to the most recent version of Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer. If you cannot upgrade your browser, you can remain on this site. Cholesterol: The good and the badTwo types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from cells. One is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. The other is high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. A test measures the amount of each type of cholesterol in your blood. LDL (bad) cholesterolLDL cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol, because it contributes to fatty buildups in arteries (atherosclerosis). This narrows the arteries and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease (PAD). HDL (good) cholesterolHDL cholesterol can be thought of as the “good” cholesterol because a healthy level may protect against heart attack and stroke. HDL carries LDL (bad) cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where the LDL is broken down and passed from the body. But HDL cholesterol doesn't completely eliminate LDL cholesterol. Only one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. TriglyceridesTriglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet. A high triglyceride level combined with high LDL (bad) cholesterol or low HDL (good) cholesterol is linked with fatty buildups within the artery walls, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Watch an animation about cholesterol. Watch an animation about atherosclerosis. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. What should I do if my LDL is high?Advertisement. Eat heart-healthy foods. A few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health: ... . Exercise on most days of the week and increase your physical activity. Exercise can improve cholesterol. ... . Quit smoking. ... . Lose weight. ... . Drink alcohol only in moderation.. What is the main cause of high LDL?Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.
What are the symptoms of high LDL cholesterol in the body?High cholesterol typically doesn't cause any symptoms. In most cases, it only causes emergency events. For instance, a heart attack or stroke can result from the damage caused by high cholesterol. These events typically don't occur until high cholesterol leads to the formation of plaque in your arteries.
Should I be concerned if my LDL is high?However, when your LDL level is high, it can start to form a plaque-like substance on the walls of your cardiovascular system, blocking the natural flow of blood and leaving you at severe risk for heart attack and stroke. Put simply, LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol.
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