
Difference Between LDL and HDL
- Definition. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) refers to a lipoprotein of blood plasma that is composed of a moderate proportion of protein with little triglyceride and a high proportion of cholesterol and ...
- Good vs Bad. ...
- Size. ...
- Density. ...
- Composition. ...
- Major Lipids. ...
- Type of Apoproteins. ...
- Function. ...
- Conclusion. ...
Is LDL good or bad?
LDL 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) cholesterol
Is LDL cholesterol good or bad cholesterol?
LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "bad" cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. HDL stands for high-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver.
Is a LDL of 125 bad?
You’re destined to fail – healthy or not. You see, what has happened is that the LDL upper limit was dropped several years ago by most labs from 138 to 100. So now a LDL of say 125 is considered high, regardless of whether they are the small or large LDLs.
Is 73 cholesterol level good or bad?
– A total cholesterol level below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered desirable for adults. A level between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline and a level of 240 mg/dL and above is considered high. – The LDL cholesterol level must be less than 100 mg/dL.

What is the functional difference between LDL and HDL?
HDL helps rid your body of excess cholesterol so it's less likely to end up in your arteries. LDL is called “bad cholesterol” because it takes cholesterol to your arteries, where it can collect in your artery walls. Too much cholesterol in your arteries may lead to a buildup of plaque known as atherosclerosis.
Why LDL is called bad cholesterol?
LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "bad" cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries.
Which is more important HDL or LDL cholesterol?
Studies suggest that the total cholesterol to HDL ratio is a better marker of the risk of heart disease than LDL cholesterol levels alone.
What are good levels for LDL and HDL?
The following levels are considered to be "good" in healthy people: Total cholesterol: Levels below 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) LDL cholesterol: Levels below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) HDL cholesterol: Levels above 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) in men and above 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women.
What is the fastest way to lower LDL cholesterol?
AdvertisementReduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol. ... Eliminate trans fats. ... Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. ... Increase soluble fiber. ... Add whey protein.
What foods raise LDL?
Foods That Raise LDL CholesterolBeef, chicken and pork fat.Cream and whole milk.Dairy products like butter, cheese, cream cheese and ice cream.Egg yolks but not egg whites.Meats and poultry.Processed meats like bacon, lunch meat and hot dogs.Shellfish like lobster and shrimp.
What is a healthy cholesterol level by age?
Optimal rangesAge and sexTotal serum cholesterolTriglyceridesall aged 19 years and younger170 mg/dl at mostless than 150 mg/dlfemales aged 20 years and older125–200 mg/dlless than 150 mg/dlmales aged 20 years and older125–200 mg/dlless than 150 mg/dl
Does eating Eggs raise your cholesterol?
Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.
What is the normal range for LDL HDL ratio?
Your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total should be below 200. Talk with your provider about what your results mean for you and how to manage your cholesterol.
What is the most important cholesterol number?
An optimal level of non- HDL cholesterol is less than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.37 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Higher numbers mean a higher risk of heart disease. To calculate your cholesterol ratio, divide your total cholesterol number by your HDL cholesterol number.
How can I lower my LDL without medication?
People can naturally lower their cholesterol levels by adopting dietary and lifestyle changes. This can include changing the types of fats they eat, consuming soluble fiber, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, maintaining healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake, and getting enough good-quality sleep.
What should a 70 year old cholesterol be?
40 – 49 mg/dL for men and 50 – 59 mg/dL for women is better. 60 mg/dL and higher is best.
Is LDL considered bad cholesterol?
LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body's cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Why is HDL called the good cholesterol?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
What causes bad cholesterol?
Poor diet. 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 happens if LDL is high?
LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol” This buildup is also known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque can narrow your arteries, limit your blood flow, and raise your risk of blood clots. If a blood clot blocks an artery in your heart or brain, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Why is HDL considered good cholesterol?
HDL cholesterol is referred to as good cholesterol because it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Higher HDL levels are linked to a reduced risk of heart attack and heart disease.
How to measure total cholesterol to HDL?
It can be measured by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL level.
What is the recommended cholesterol level?
for healthy cholesterol levels are as follows: total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol above 40 mg/dL. Different regions and countries may have varying guidelines, so it is wise to speak to a doctor about the most accurate and up-to-date ranges.
How to keep LDL levels from creeping up?
Other diet tips to prevent LDL levels creeping up include: Switch fat sources: Swap saturated fats for nut and seed oils or monounsaturated fats from olive, avocado, and canola oil. Increase fiber intake: A diet high in fiber is believed to be good for total blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber. Trusted Source.
Why is my LDL cholesterol high?
Causes of high LDL cholesterol include: Eating a diet high in saturated fat: Diets high in saturated and hydrogenated fats can increase LDL cholesterol levels. Inactivity: Not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain, which is linked to increased cholesterol levels.
What causes high LDL cholesterol?
Causes of high LDL cholesterol. Reduce LDL levels. Increase HDL levels. Outlook. Along with smoking and high blood pressure, raised blood cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. People can reduce their blood cholesterol with a healthful diet, exercise, and medication.
What are the effects of high HDL levels?
Higher HDL levels are linked to a reduced risk of heart attack and heart disease.
What does HDL cholesterol do?
HDL may therefore prevent the buildup of plaque, protect your arteries, and protect you from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is considered the “good” cholesterol, and higher levels are better. A good goal to aim for is higher than 55 mg/dL for women and 45 mg/dL for men. The higher your HDL cholesterol numbers, the lower your risk is for heart disease, vascular disease, and stroke.
What is it called when you have a high LDL?
This is called familial hypercholesterolemia and is caused by a genetic mutation that decreases the liver’s ability to clear excess cholesterol. This condition can lead to very high LDL levels, and heart attack or stroke at a young age in multiple generations.
What are the factors that affect LDL cholesterol?
It’s very important to set your own target cholesterol levels with your doctor. Obesity, a large waist circumference, a sedentary lifestyle, or a diet rich in red meat, full-fat dairy, saturated fat, trans fats, and processed foods can lead to high LDL cholesterol.
What is the best cholesterol level for women?
A good goal to aim for is higher than 55 mg/dL for women and 45 mg/dL for men. The higher your HDL cholesterol numbers, the lower your risk is for heart disease, vascular disease, and stroke.
How to increase HDL?
Although HDL levels are driven by family genetics, you can improve HDL levels in three key ways: 1 If you are a smoker, research clearly shows that quitting smoking can increase HDL. 2 Adopting a heart-healthy diet low in fat and high in fiber can also modestly raise your HDL. 3 Aerobic exercise can also have positive effects on HDL. Have trouble exercising? Find a buddy; research shows it helps motivate you. That exercise can be as simple as increasing the amount of walking you do (for the sake of exercise, not a stroll) each week.
What to do if you don't know your cholesterol?
If you don’t know your cholesterol levels, get tested. That will give you and your physician a starting point for lifestyle changes and medications if needed. In the meantime, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, and do it with friends and family no matter their ages.
How to lower LDL?
Lifestyle and diet changes are the main ways to prevent or lower high LDL. A trial of eating a low-fat diet, regular aerobic activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and smaller waist circumference is an appropriate first step. It is best to set a timeline to achieve your goals with your doctor.
What is the difference between HDL and LDL?
The main difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol is that LDL is a type of harmful cholesterol whereas HDL is a type of protective cholesterol. Furthermore , LDL transports cholesterol and other fats throughout the body while HDL transports cholesterol and other fats collected from tissues to the liver.
What are the similarities between LDL and HDL?
LDL and HDL are two types of lipoproteins responsible for transporting hydrophobic lipids including triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol through watery media including blood and extracellular fluid. Both contain a hydrophobic core containing cholesterol esters and triglycerides ...
What are the main forms of lipids in LDL?
The major form of lipids in LDL are cholesterols while the main form of lipids in HDL are cholesterol and triglycerides.
What is the function of LDL cholesterol?
Moreover, the main function of LDL is to carry fat molecules including phospholipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides throughout the body. Thus, high levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood are highly associated with a potential risk of atherosclerosis and several other cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we call it ‘bad lipoprotein’.
What is the role of LDL in the body?
LDL or low-density lipoprotein is a type of lipoprotein responsible for the transport of hydrophobic lipids throughout the body. The main form of lipids transported by LDL is cholesterol. It causes the formation of thick and hard plaques along blood vessel walls, leading to atherosclerosis.
What is a lipid profile?
A lipid profile can diagnose the amount of both lipoproteins in the blood and it is possible to decide the treatments depending on the abnormalities indicated in the lipid profile.
What happens to LDL-C receptors?
If we look at the pathophysiology of hypercholesterolemia associated with elevated LDL levels, there are LDL-C receptors on cell surfaces to which LDL-bound cholesterol gets attached. When these receptors are reduced due to reasons such as steatohepatitis and hypothyroidism, free LDL levels in the blood will go up, resulting in the elevation of free cholesterol in the blood. Thus, this cholesterol can get attached to blood vessel walls or lodge inside the lumen of blood vessels, creating circulation disturbances potentially resulting in atherosclerosis, thrombosis or embolism.
What is the difference between lipoproteins and LDL?
1. Difference in Functions. Both types of lipoproteins transport cholesterol in the blood, but there is functional difference in how they deliver cholesterol to different parts of your body. LDL (Bad): LDLs are the primary carriers of cholesterol and take cholesterol to cells in your body.
What percentage of LDL is cholesterol?
LDL: In terms of weight, 50% of LDL particle is cholesterol and 25% is protein. There is also a difference in the types of proteins present in HDL and LDL. Proteins called B-100 are present in low-density lipoproteins.
How Much Cholesterol Is Too Much?
Doctors recommend that you should aim to keep your total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL. While less than 200 mg/dL is desirable, you are also safe between 200 and 239 mg/dL – although it makes you more susceptible to developing heart disease. Anything above 240 mg/dL is considered high.
What is the risk of a stroke if your LDL is 190?
You are at a serious risk for stroke, heart attack, and other problems if your LDL cholesterol levels are higher than 190 mg/dL. However, you need to aim for a higher level of HDL cholesterol because anything less than 40 mg/dL puts you at a greater risk for heart disease.
Why are HDL particles called high density?
HDL particles mainly consist of A-I and A-II proteins. The function of these particles changes due to a change in the types of proteins they contain.
Why is HDL important?
It is important to have a healthy level of HDL cholesterol in your body to stave off cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. 2. Difference in Structure.
How to reduce cholesterol in a healthy diet?
For instance: Include food in your diet that contains less cholesterol, fat, and saturated fat. Avoid eating the skin and fat from poultry, meat, and fish. Avoid eating fried food and opt for baked, broiled, or poached food. Include lots of veggies and fruits in your diet.
Do You Need To Lower Your Cholesterol And Triglycerides
If you have high cholesterol, high triglycerides or an unhealthy balance of blood fats, your doctor will probably recommend bringing these levels down with lifestyle changes and sometimes treatments.
What Affects My Cholesterol Levels
A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:
Better Predictor Than Ldl
In studies of patients with hypertriglyceridemia , it has been possible to establish a direct association between the values of non-HDL-C and the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, this correlation being better than that observed when evaluating LDL-C.
Fasting Before A Lipid Test
Although a lipid test can be done with or without fasting, you are more likely to get accurate results by fasting, especially if your triglycerides are going to be measured. This means you can have nothing but water for nine to 12 hours before the test.
Good Cholesterol Is A Complex Measure
While the cholesterol-carrying function of HDL is important, it’s not the only way HDL helps your body function. HDL also alters the chemical composition of LDL, preventing it from becoming oxidized, Harvard Medical School reported in 2019. That prevents damage to the arteries and lowers inflammation.
What Does Hdl Cholesterol Do
HDL clears from the body via the liver. HDL may therefore prevent the buildup of plaque, protect your arteries, and protect you from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is considered the good cholesterol, and higher levels are better. A good goal to aim for is higher than 55 mg/dL for women and 45 mg/dL for men.
Difference Between Ldl And Hdl
The main difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol is that LDL is a type of harmful cholesterol whereas HDL is a type of protective cholesterol. Furthermore, LDL transports cholesterol and other fats throughout the body while HDL transports cholesterol and other fats collected from tissues to the liver.
