What is the difference between good and bad cholesterol?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Good cholesterol, or HDL, seems to protect against heart attacks. Bad cholesterol, or LDL, sticks to the inside walls of arteries. It helps form plaque, which can slow or block the flow of blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to your heart and brain. Watch this animation to learn more about cholesterol.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpful
Good cholesterol, or HDL, seems to protect against heart attacks. Bad cholesterol, or LDL, sticks to the inside walls of arteries. It helps form plaque, which can slow or block the flow of blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to your heart and brain.... More -
Dr. Rosendo Collazo of Baptist Health South Florida answered:Most people know that there are two types of "cholesterol" — the good and the bad, but forget which is which.
The good is the HDL, which stands for high-density lipoprotein; and the bad is the LDL, which stands for low-density lipoprotein.
Since cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood, it has to be transported between cells by carriers called lipoproteins. The two types of lipids, along with triglycerides, make up your total cholesterol count, which can be determined through a blood test.
HDL is considered the "good" cholesterol because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. Too much LDL (the bad cholesterol) can build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. This can lead to increased risk for heart attack or stroke.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulMost people know that there are two types of "cholesterol" — the good and the bad, but forget which is which. The good is the HDL, which stands for high-density lipoprotein; and the bad is the LDL, which stands for low-density lipoprotein.... More -
Discovery Health answered:The difference between "good cholesterol" and "bad cholesterol relates to the type of carrier molecule that transports the cholesterol.
Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in water, which means they also can't dissolve in blood. Carrier molecules (also called apoproteins) are made of protein. When these apoproteins join with cholesterol, they form the compound lipoproteins. The amount of protein in the molecule determines the density of lipoproteins.
"Bad" cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein (called LDL). It is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. Especially high levels of LDLs are associated with atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaques that narrow or block blood vessels.
"Good" cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein (called HDL). A greater level of HDL is thought to provide some protection against artery blockage (think of this as drain cleaner you pour down a clogged sink).
A third group of carrier molecules, called very low-density lipoproteins (or VLDL) are converted to LDL after delivering triglycerides to muscles and fat tissue.
Levels of HDL, LDL and total cholesterol are indicators for atherosclerosis and heart attack risk. Those with a cholesterol level of 275 or greater are at significant risk for a heart attack (200 or less is desirable). This is true even with a favorable HDL level. Those who have normal cholesterol levels but low HDL also are at increased risk for a heart attack.
The difference between "good cholesterol" and "bad cholesterol relates to the type of carrier molecule that transports the cholesterol. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in water, which means they also can't dissolve in blood. Carrier... More -
SCAI answered:When healthcare providers talk about “good” and “bad” cholesterol, they are describing the health effects of two forms of cholesterol - one form is thought to be good for you, and the other is bad. The “bad” cholesterol forms fatty deposits (plaques) in your blood vessels that can eventually narrow them. A narrowed blood vessel can starve your heart of blood, causing a heart attack, or deprive your brain of blood, which can lead to a stroke. The blood vessels that deliver oxygen to your legs and your kidneys also can be clogged, leading to peripheral artery disease (PAD) or renal artery disease. Health care providers often refer to the bad cholesterol by a name based on its chemical composition: low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In short, you want your LDL cholesterol level to be low, ideally under 159 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL), or lower if you have other cardiovascular risk factors or a history of cardiovascular disease. The reason medical professionals encourage high levels of “good” cholesterol is that it prevents the bad cholesterol from building up in your blood vessels. It, too, is often referred to by a name based on its chemical composition: high-density lipoprotein (HDL). For men, HDL levels should be 40 mg/dL or higher. For women, the desired level is 50 mg/dL or higher.When healthcare providers talk about “good” and “bad” cholesterol, they are describing the health effects of two forms of cholesterol - one form is thought to be good for you, and the other is bad. The “bad”... More -
Dr. William D. Knopf of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Good and bad cholesterol refer to carrier molecules or lipoproteins, HDL and LDL. Cholesterol itself may be good or bad. We need cholesterol for cellular integrity and cholesterol is produced in the liver even if we eliminate it from our diet for this reason.
The HDL carrier is protective and therefore "good"
the LDL carrier tends to allow cholesterol to be deposited in our blood vessels and this is "bad".
By increasing your good cholesterol or HDL through exercise and diet, we can add protection against heart disease. Niacin in high doses can also raise our good cholesterol.
Similarly by lowering our bad cholesterol or LDL we can reduce our risk of heart attack and stroke. This can also be done through diet and exercise but sometimes medications are warranted. The statin medications are the most commonly prescribed.Good and bad cholesterol refer to carrier molecules or lipoproteins, HDL and LDL. Cholesterol itself may be good or bad. We need cholesterol for cellular integrity and cholesterol is produced in the liver even if we eliminate it from our diet for... More -
Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:HDL (good) cholesterol protects against cardiovascular disease. For HDL, higher numbers are better. A level of less than 40 is low and is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A level of 60 or higher is considered protective and better for you.
LDL (bad) cholesterol levels of 130 or below are desirable. A level of 160 or above is considered high, and as with your total cholesterol number, the higher this measurement is, the greater the risk for cardiovascular disease.HDL (good) cholesterol protects against cardiovascular disease. For HDL, higher numbers are better. A level of less than 40 is low and is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A level of 60 or higher is considered protective and... More
