What are the Different Types of Cholesterol?

Understanding what cholesterol is and knowing what your levels are is an essential part of managing your heart health. High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease and stroke. It is important to know that there are different types of cholesterol. Some tests just measure your total cholesterol level, and that can be helpful. However, knowing the levels of each of the different types of cholesterol will give you a better idea of the state of your health.

Identification

• Your body naturally produces all of the cholesterol you need. You can also get cholesterol from the foods you eat. Some cholesterol is essential for good health. Cholesterol plays a role in developing healthy cell membranes, in the manufacturing of hormones, and aids in digestion. It is found throughout the body. It is a soft, waxy substance that travels through the bloodstream. When traveling in the bloodstream cholesterol is carried by structures called lipoproteins. If the levels of cholesterol become too high in the blood, it can accumulate and from plaque on artery walls.

LDL

• LDLs are low-density lipoproteins. LDL is considered the "bad" kind of cholesterol. LDL is the type of cholesterol that the body tends to store. If your levels get too high, plaque can build up on the insides of artery walls, causing a condition called atherosclerosis. This causes problems as it narrows the artery passageways. This means that the heart and brain may not get enough blood and oxygen. You can also have problems if pieces of the plaque break off and from a clot, which can lodge in and close off an artery. To help minimize your risk, you should aim to keep your level of LDL lower then 100 mg/dL.

Lp(a)

• Lp(a) is a form of low-density lipoprotein that attaches to special types of proteins. If your level of this type of cholesterol is high, you are considered at a higher risk of developing fatty deposits in arteries. A high level is diagnosed if your readings are more than 20 mg/dl to 30 mg/dl According to the American Heart Association, Lp(a) may speed the process that causes plaque to build on the artery walls.

HDL

• HDLs, or high-density lipoproteins, are considered the good kind of cholesterol. Higher levels appear to protect against heart disease, while low levels may put you at a higher risk. While their function is not well understood, the National Institutes of Health suggest that HDLs carry bad cholesterol away from the arteries and transport it to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body. It is also possible that HDLs slow the process of plaque buildup in artery walls. Keeping your level of HDL cholesterol at 60 mg/dL or higher seems to provide protection against heart disease.

Triglycerides

• While triglycerides are not an actual form of cholesterol, you will usually have your level of triglycerides tested along with your levels of cholesterol. Triglycerides are also a form of fat that travels in the bloodstream. When your levels of triglycerides are high, you tend to have high cholesterol levels as well. This can be even more of a concern if you have a high LDL level and low HDL level. A healthy triglyceride level is lower than 150 mg/dL.