LDL

LDL is short for Low-Density Lipoprotein. This is the cholesterol that is bad for your body. LDL is what puts the fatty deposits on your tissues and arteries. You want your LDL numbers to be low. For a healthy person their number should be less than 130.

HDL

HDL is also known as High-Density Lipoprotein. HDL is your good cholesterol, it works for your body. HDL transports deposits to the liver, where they are supposed to be so they can be properly digested.

These numbers in men need to be higher than 40 and in women higher than 45. HDL works with your body to help you stay healthy, so the more the better.

Working Together

Your LDL and triglycerides are part of your total cholesterol. Your total cholesterol should be less than 150. Your triglycerides should be under 150 ideally. For you to find out where each part of your TC is you need to get a blood test. Another thing that you will find is your HDL cholesterol level. Your doctor will be able to tell you where each part is and where is part needs to be.

Your total cholesterol divided by your HDL cholesterol is your ratio. Your ratio should stay under 4, as it goes over 4 the fatty deposits on your arteries are increasing. Your heart attack and stroke chances increase when your ratio is over 4. For people that have already had a heart attack or stroke their ratio needs to be under 3.

Maintaining a healthy weight will help keep your cholesterol levels where they should be. Exercise and a healthy diet will keep your cholesterol in check. Just remember that cholesterol is affected by heredity and there is only so much you can do to control it.

Some of the supplements you can take to help your cholesterol include: vitamins E and C as well as niacin to lower LDL and fish oils and B vitamins work on your HDL.

Risk Factors

There are different things that put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. If you have more than one of these risk factors then you need to be keeping a very close eye on your cholesterol.

 If there is a history of heart problems in your family. This means that there has been more than one heart attack with people under 55 in your family.
 Being male is a risk factor.
 Females over 50 become at risk.
 Smokers are always at higher risk than nonsmokers.
 High blood pressure can elevate you're your risks.
 Having your HDL is under 35 puts you at risk.
 Being overweight is a huge risk factor.
 Diabetics are more at risk than others.

Some of the risk factors are out of your control, but for those factors that are within your control you need to be working hard. Take the risks that you can control out of the picture and you will feel better about your health.

Your doctor is on your side, listen to your doctor and talk to them. Be open to your doctor and share your concerns. You can prevent future problems by doing what you need to do today.