WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?

WHAT IS LDL AND HDL?

• LDL-"Bad" Cholesterol (Low-density lipoproteins)
• HDL-"Good" Cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins)

HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

• Structural difference- they contain different proteins and compositions
• Functional difference-They both deliver cholesterol to different parts of the body
• LDL is 50% cholesterol and 25% protein
• HDL is 20% cholesterol and 50% protein

WHY DO DOCTORS MONITOR THE CONCENTRATIONS OF LDL aND HDL IN BLOOD?

• Their levels of each help doctors evaluate a patients health
• To determine whether a patient is at risk for heart disease

HOW ARE THESE CONCENTRATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HEART DISEASE?

• Too much LDL can result in cholesterol plagues
• This results in atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries
• Those then lead to heart attack and stroke
• HDL level are suppose to be high to prevent any heart problems

WHAT OTHER MOLECULES ARE MONITORED ALONG WITH HDL AND LDL?

• Triglyceride level are also monitored
• These levels rise when you eat fatty foods
• Comes from fat

WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF A CHOLESTEROL TEST MEAN? HOW IS EACH VALUE INTERPRETED?

• They tell you the levels of HDL, LDL and Tryglycerides
• The test lets you know whether or not your at risk for heart disease
• The values of each tested let you know if your at risk
• High risk: 240 mg/dL and above Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL

WHAT DO PATIENTS DO TO CHANGE THEIR LEVELS OF HDL AND LDL?

• Change you diet
• Lose weight
• Eat certain foods high in HDL to lower LDL

SOURCE

THE END