Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) that’s found in your blood. Your body uses it to build cells, produce hormones, and help with digestion. However, because fat can’t move freely in your bloodstream on its own, it pairs up with protein to form something called a lipoprotein — and that’s where the terms HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) come into play.
The Good and the Bad: HDL vs LDL
Cholesterol often gets a bad rap — and in some cases, it deserves it. But the truth is, not all cholesterol is bad. In fact, your body actually needs some cholesterol to function properly. The key is understanding the difference between the good kind and the not-so-good kind.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) is what we call “good cholesterol”. It helps clear out extra cholesterol from your bloodstream, carrying it back to the liver to be broken down. Higher levels of HDL are linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), on the other hand, is the “bad cholesterol.” It tends to stick to the walls of your arteries, forming plaque that can slow or block blood flow. This buildup increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
There’s also a third type worth knowing about:
Triglycerides are another type of fat carried by VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein). When you eat, your body converts calories it doesn’t need into triglycerides which are then stored in fat cells. Triglycerides provide energy to your cells, but too many can be stored into fat cells — increasing the risk of obesity, pancreatitis and heart disease.
One of the tricky things about high cholesterol is that there are often no early symptoms. Many people don’t know they have a problem until they experience something serious, like a heart attack or stroke.
That’s why regular blood tests (like a lipid panel) are so important — they help catch issues early, when they’re easier to manage.
One of the tricky things about high cholesterol is that there are often no early symptoms. Many people don’t know they have a problem until they experience something serious, like a heart attack or stroke.
That’s why regular blood tests (like a lipid panel) are so important — they help catch issues early, when they’re easier to manage.
The food we eat consists of two types of fats:
Saturated fats are found naturally in many animal based foods like butter, milk, cheese, and red meat. Eating too much saturated fats will raise your LDL (“bad cholesterol”).
Trans fats (Trans Fatty Acids or artificial trans fats) are predominantly from process foods like potato chips or margarine. Not only does trans fat raise LDL but it also lowers HDL (“good cholesterol”), making it especially harmful. Trans fats increase your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Some health conditions can affect your cholesterol levels, including:
Lifestyle and Genetics also play a large role in high cholesterol
After conducting a blood test in the office to determine your cholesterol levels and other biomarkers, our endocrinology providers develop a comprehensive treatment plan. If your provider identifies an underlying health condition, we will treat that problem while taking steps to lower your cholesterol. Cholesterol treatment begins with dietary changes, increasing exercise, and losing weight if necessary. In many cases, cholesterol returns to normal levels with lifestyle interventions. However, if your cholesterol levels are dangerously high or lifestyle changes don’t help, a medication may be prescribed to lower your cholesterol.
While you can’t change your genes, you can take charge of your lifestyle choices to improve your heart health. Making healthier food choices, increasing your activity level and quitting smoking will make significant impacts on your cholesterol.
At Utah Endocrinology Associates, our endocrinology team is here to help you navigate cholesterol disorders and create a plan that fits your life. Whether you’re managing a related condition like diabetes or simply want to keep your heart healthy,
we’re ready to support you every step of the way.
