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HDL and LDL Cholesterol
 Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance that is found among the fats or lipids in cells within the human body and within the bloodstream. It plays an important role in the body by helping to form cell membranes, but high levels within the blood stream are a major risk factor for a heart attack. The two major types of cholesterol are HDL and LDL cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
There are some major differences between HDL and LDL cholesterol. LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol. If too much is in the blood it can build up along the inner artery walls. This can cause it to form a hard, thick substance called plaque, which causes the arteries to become more rigid. This condition is called atherosclerosis, and if a clot forms and blocks an artery it can cause a heart attack or stroke. LDL levels should be less than 100mg/dL, as higher levels reflect a higher risk of heart disease.
HDL is considered “good” cholesterol, as high levels of it have been shown to protect against heat attacks. It is thought that HDL carries cholesterol away from arteries and to the liver, where it is expelled from the body. Additionally, HDL is suspected to remove excess cholesterol from plaque forming in arteries. However, if HDL is too low, it can increase the risk of heart disease and the chances of a stroke. The levels that would qualify as too low would be 40mg/dL in men and 50mg/DL in women.
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