Good Cholesterol Versus Bad Cholesterol

Posted: Mar 22, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

When we get our blood and cholesterol tested, many times we do not understand what is written on our reports. Let's have a look into what your cholesterol reports would predominantly talk about. When we get our lipid profile done, there are essentially 3 types of cholesterol that are tested: the LDL (i.e. low density lipoprotein), HDL (high density lipoprotein) as well as VLDL (very low density lipoprotein). In addition to these types of cholesterol, the triglycerides which are other types of lipid in the blood are also tested. What are the figures printed next to them? Well, the amounts of lipid in your blood are the figures printed and their analysis would help your healthcare provider predict the risk of heart diseases in future.

What is fight between the good cholesterol and bad cholesterol? Well, the LDL i.e. low density lipoproteins are referred to as the bad cholesterol; they are produced by the liver and they carry other lipid fats and cholesterol from the liver to the other parts of the body such as tissues, muscles, heart and other organs. Your healthcare provider would advise you to ensure that the LDL levels are kept low because high levels of this type would indicate more cholesterol in the blood stream increasing the risk of heart diseases. Now how are these measured? There is simple equation: LDL= TC – (triglycerides/5) + HDL and using this equation, the LDL level found are matched to a scale where it is checked if the amount obtained indicate optimal or risk levels!


When too much LDL circulates the blood, it gradually builds up on the inner walls of the heart arteries. With other substances also mounting up, it together forms plague, hard and thick deposits narrowing down the arteries. If a clot is formed in these narrow arteries, it can result to a heart stroke or attack!

Good cholesterol

In the types of cholesterol, we also mentioned about the high density lipoproteins; now these are known as the good cholesterol. This cholesterol is also produced in the liver and are carried to other organs and tissues of the body and back to the liver for degradation and recycling. About 1/4th to 1/3rd of blood cholesterol is carried by this high density lipoproteins. This good cholesterol are favorable indicators of a healthy heart because less cholesterol is found in the blood stream. The National cholesterol Education Program has also listed down a scale to identify the intensity of this type of cholesterol as well. Note that even low levels of HDL can increase the risk of heart diseases.

The types of cholesterol also included very low density lipoproteins which also carry cholesterol from the liver to body tissues and organs. They are formulated from a combination of cholesterol and triglycerides. This type of cholesterol is much heavier than the LDL and is also associated with heart diseases and atherosclerosis!

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