A doctor can determine the different levels of cholesterol by focusing on HDL, LDL, and VLDL separately, in a blood test.Ī good cholesterol ratio shows that the body is working properly and is healthy. When a person has a test that shows a high total cholesterol level, it may be because LDL cholesterol levels have climbed. These percentages matter because when increases or decreases occur, they can affect the chances of a person developing heart disease.
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is considered “bad” cholesterol and makes up 60-70 percent of the total in the body.įinally, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is a precursor to LDL and makes up about 10-15 percent of a person’s total cholesterol. It makes up 20-30 percent of a person’s total cholesterol level. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered “good” cholesterol. Total cholesterol levels are made up of three different types of cholesterol. The American Heart Association says CRP tests are most helpful for people at intermediate risk for heart disease, but not those at the low and high ends of the risk spectrum.įor more information, read "11 foods that lower cholesterol.Share on Pinterest A doctor can determine the levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the body using a blood test. Because atherosclerosis is fundamentally an inflammatory process, many experts believe that CRP testing could lead to early detection and therefore save lives. Alcohol also causes a triglyceride surge, so you shouldn't drink alcohol for 24 hours before a fasting cholesterol test.Ĭ-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein in the blood that increases with inflammation. You have to fast for about 10 hours before the test because triglyceride levels can shoot up 20%–30% after a meal, which would throw off the equation. LDL can also be measured directly in a non-fasting blood sample.
Your LDL is computed by plugging the measurements for total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides into a: LDL = Total cholesterol – HDL – (Triglycerides ÷ 5). For people at low risk of heart disease, an LDL of less than 100 is desirable, However, people at higher risk of heart disease, an LDL of less than 70 or perhaps even lower is considered "optimal." Some experts say that an LDL of less than 70 would be a healthy LDL goal for all of us. The definition of a healthy level keeps on getting lower. LDL cholesterol. The LDL measurement is usually considered the most important for assessing risk and deciding on treatment. With LDL, the main form of "bad" cholesterol.Causes build-up of plaque inside arteries.Moves cholesterol from arteries to the liver.In contrast, LDL deposits the harmful fat in vessel walls.Īn HDL level of 60 or above is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and below 40 is associated with a higher risk. HDL cholesterol. HDL wins its laurels as the "good" cholesterol because it sponges up cholesterol from blood vessel walls and ferries it to the liver for disposal.
Abnormal readings may also lead to tests for other medical problems. So, if your cholesterol levels are unusually high or low, your doctor will probably want to repeat the test some weeks later. An injury, cancer, stroke, or heart attack may have the same effect. Doctors are not supposed to make any treatment decisions based on this number alone.Ĭholesterol levels can be lowered by stress (physical or psychological) or infection. Think of total cholesterol as a first glimpse, a peek. So, if your total cholesterol is in the desirable category, it's possible that you may have unhealthy levels of HDL (too low) and LDL and VLDL (too high). The simple, do-it-yourself home cholesterol tests measure total cholesterol.īut total cholesterol includes both "good" high-density lipoprotein ( HDL) cholesterol, and the "bad" varieties, chiefly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The test doesn't require any sophisticated lab work, either. Total cholesterol. This is the simplest and least expensive test. Here is a rundown of some of the choices and their pros and cons: Okay, but which test should you get? It's not so simple anymore. The pros and cons of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride testing.
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