What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a wax-like substance that plays a crucial role in the human body.¹ It is an integral part of every cellular membrane and is a precursor to various hormones. Cholesterol is naturally lipophilic, meaning it dissolves and is attracted to fats instead of water.² As such, cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream as “lipoproteins” after being packed together with proteins.

What Is LDL Cholesterol?

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and is one of the five main types of lipoproteins in the body.³ LDL cholesterols are often known as the “bad” cholesterol because of the role they play in atherosclerosis, the process of arteries hardening from the build-up of cholesterol plaques.⁴ Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs), types of heart and blood-vessel (ie, cardiovascular) diseases characterized by atherosclerosis. These include heart diseases such as coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and cerebrovascular disease. As such, high levels of LDL cholesterol – also known as hypercholesterolemia – should be avoided for heart health.⁵

What Is a Healthy Level of LDL Cholesterol? 

The standard LDL cholesterol levels according to the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III are as follows:⁶

As high LDL cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, it is optimal to have an LDL cholesterol level below 100 mg/dL.

What Do I Do If I Have High LDL Cholesterol?

Guidelines recommend individuals with high LDL cholesterol levels to use a multifaceted approach to lower the risk of heart disease.⁶ Significant changes to lifestyle are recommended, including increasing physical activity and losing weight. Additionally, dietary changes including lowering intake of saturated fats (<7% of total calories) and cholesterol (<200 mg/day) are strongly suggested. If LDL goals are not met with these lifestyle changes in 6 weeks, taking plant stanols/sterols (2 g/day) and soluble fiber (10-25 g/day) may be recommended. In addition to lifestyle changes, LDL-lowering pharmaceutical therapy may be recommended depending on the individual’s LDL level and cardiovascular risk factors.

For individuals with a 10-year ASCVD risk of greater than 20%, LDL-lowering drugs may be recommended when their LDL cholesterol levels are greater than or exceed 130 mg/dL, with the goal of achieving LDL levels below 100 mg/dL. For those with a 10-year ASCVD risk of lower than 20% but with multiple risk factors, LDL-lowering drugs may be recommended when their LDL cholesterol levels are between 130-160 mg/dL, depending on how high their risks are. For individuals with a 10-year ASCVD risk of lower than 10% with one or no risk factor may be recommended to use LDL-lowering drugs when LDL cholesterol levels exceed 190 mg/dL. Typically, a type of statin will be prescribed to lower LDL levels, in addition to making lifestyle changes.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general information and knowledge on the subject matter. The views expressed in newsletters, articles, and blogs in the i-SENS USA website are not necessarily those of i-SENS Incorporated, i-SENS USA Incorporated or our publishers. Medical or nutritional information on i-SENS USA website is not intended to replace professional medical advice – you should always consult a specialist with any questions about your specific circumstances.