Cholesterol: Know the terms

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Last updated on August 6th, 2024 at 02:57 pm

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the cells in your body. Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest food. Too much cholesterol can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries, which can lead them to become narrowed or blocked, causing heart disease.

What is HDL?

HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is sometimes referred to as “good” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. A healthy HDL cholesterol level may protect against heart attack and stroke.


Here are the healthy levels of cholesterol, based on your age and gender:

Cholesterol numbers are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

  0-19 years old   Men 20 or older   Women 20 or older
Total Cholesterol     Less than 170     Less than 200     Less than 200
LDL     Less than 100     Less than 130     Less than 130
HDL     More than 45     More than 40     More than 45
Triglycerides     Less than 90     Less than 150     Less than 150

What is LDL?

LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other heart diseases.

What is VLDL?

VLDL, or very low-density lipoprotein, is also referred to as a “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. While LDL mainly carries cholesterol, VLDL carries triglycerides.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. The excess calories that your body doesn’t immediately need are changed into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. When your body needs extra energy, it releases the triglycerides. A high level of triglycerides can increase your risk of heart diseases, including coronary artery disease.

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