Forms Of Cholesterol

Cholesterol can be categorized into two forms depending upon the functions. There are basically two types of cholesterol.

• LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol
• HDL(high density lipoprotein) cholesterol

LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol
LDL or low-density lipoprotein is the key cholesterol carrier in the blood. Circulation of excess LDL cholesterol in the blood can gradually build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. LDL together with other substances can form plaque (a thick, hard deposit), which can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. A clot that forms near this plaque can block the blood flow to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. Similarly, a stroke results if a clot blocks the blood flow to any part of the brain.

The levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reflect a lower risk of heart disease. Medical theory defines that in case of patients suffering from heart disease, the optimal level for LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL even though most people have LDL levels less than 130 mg/dL as the optimal level. A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That is also one of the reasons for LDL cholesterol being categorized as 'bad' cholesterol.

Lp(a) cholesterol :
Lp(a) cholesterol is a genetic variation of plasma LDL. A high level of Lp(a) is an important risk factor for premature development of fatty deposits in arteries. The lesions in artery walls contain substances which on interaction with Lp(a), may lead to the buildup of fatty deposits.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol
HDL or High-density lipoproteins belongs to a class of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from the body's tissues to the liver. Medical research has shown that one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. While it is believed, that HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body; another school of thought considers that HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup.

Therefore, HDL is also referred to as the 'good' cholesterol, since a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. A level of 60 mg/dL or more is considered good as it helps to lower your risk for heart disease. However, low HDL level less than 40 mg/dL in men and less than 50 mg/dL in women may be an indicator of risk which may raise the level of stroke risk.