What’s so important about LDL Cholesterol?

You can decrease your risk of having a heart attack or stroke by having your LDL at or below the normal range.

What is LDL?

LDL is a form of cholesterol called low density lipoprotein. You may have heard people refer to LDL as “lousy” or bad cholesterol. It’s considered “bad” because LDL causes cholesterol to build up on the artery walls. When this happens, cholesterol can clog your arteries, block blood flow and eventually contribute to a heart attack or stroke.

LDL levels should be less than 160 mg/dl.

• If you have other risk factors for heart disease (listed below) your level should be less than 130 mg/ dl.
• If you already have heart disease or diabetes, your recommended level should be less than 100 mg/dl.

To learn more, visit cholesterol and LDL.

You should have your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years if you are 40 or older or have other risk factors for heart disease such as:

• Tobacco use
• Hypertension (BP > 139/89 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication)
• Family history of premature heart disease in first degree relative (male, <55 years, female <65 years)
• Age (male >45 years; female >55 years)
• Diabetes
• Pre-Diabetes: How You Can Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Where does cholesterol come from?

Our bodies make cholesterol. It is an essential part of a healthy body. Cholesterol helps produce cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other bodily needs. You get cholesterol from two main sources. Your body makes the majority of it. A small portion comes from cholesterol in animal products that you eat, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk.

What can you do?

There are several ways to lower your cholesterol and risk for heart disease:

• Follow a healthy eating plan that emphasizes whole grains, lean protein, beans, low fat or non fat dairy, fruit and vegetables. For more information, go here: High Cholesterol? Here's What You Can Do
• Get regular Physical Activity.
• Lose weight, if you are overweight and focus on a healthy weight
• If recommended, take a cholesterol lowering medication, such as a statin, as prescribed by your physician. To learn more, go here: Statin Therapy: Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes
• Take a look at: Take What You Need to help Prevent a Heart Attack and Stroke
• If you smoke or chew tobacco, consider quitting. Learn more by reading You Can Quit Smoking

To learn more and to find resources available for you visit our Healthy Living website.

For additional information, these links take you to the details included in the guidelines behind the numbers. National Cholesterol Education Program and Guidelines at a glance from the NIH.