Cholesterol Q and A

Cholesterol is a fat-like, soft and waxy material that is found in the bloodstream. Cholesterol is a normal substance and an important part of a healthy body. But too much cholesterol can build up on the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart, forming plaque and narrowing the arteries. If a clot forms, it blocks the narrowed artery, resulting in a heart attack or a stroke.

Your own body and the food you eat produce cholesterol. It may surprise you to learn that approximately 75 percent of the cholesterol you produce comes from your liver and other cells in your body. Twenty-five percent is produced from the foods you eat. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol and is produced by your body. Some people naturally make too much LDL cholesterol. This tendency for high LDL is genetic, but changes in your diet, such as eliminating trans fats and reducing saturated fats, and losing weight will help. Working with your doctor is the best option if you naturally produce LDL cholesterol.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is bad, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is good.

Too much LDL circulating in the blood builds up on the inner walls of your arteries. Plaque then forms that narrows the arteries. If a clot forms in the blood, it blocks the already narrowed artery, causing a heart attack. The higher your LDL number, the more at risk you are.

HDL cholesterol is called “good” because HDL seems to protect against heart attack. You want a high number here — if your level of HDL is low, you are at risk of developing heart disease. If your HDL number is low and you smoke, do what you can to stop. Eating omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts) and exercising will raise your HDL levels. Genetic factors play a big role in both HDL and LDL levels, but each can be affected by changes in your lifestyle.

LDL and HDL numbers, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count.

Women of childbearing age typically have higher levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) and lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) than men do. As people get older, including women, their cholesterol levels might rise. Women approaching menopause should be diligent about having their cholesterol checked. Read more.

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, controlling your cholesterol levels is vitally important. Your acceptable levels of LDL and HDL are different than people without heart disease. You can find more information about what your cholesterol levels mean here.

Because the management of cholesterol is so important to your heart health, it’s important to learn the facts about cholesterol. There are many misconceptions about cholesterol. For instance, it’s not true that thin people don’t have to worry about cholesterol. And it’s not true that you can stop worrying about what you eat if you’re taking medication for high cholesterol. Learn the facts here.

Speak with your healthcare provider. He or she is your best source of information.

The American Heart Association Web site offers factual and comprehensive information about cholesterol. Begin your exploration about cholesterol here.