Everyone knows that high cholesterol is bad, right? Unless it’s the “good” cholesterol, which is…good? If you’re confused, you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know.

Key takeaways: 

• Cholesterol plays an important role in the body. 
• There are two primary classes of cholesterol: high-density lipoproteins (HDL or “good” cholesterol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad” cholesterol). 
• Too much LDL causes a buildup of plaque in the arteries, and this may lead to atherosclerosis, stroke, or heart disease.
• A lipid panel test shows the levels of the different types of cholesterol in the body.
• You can prevent atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart disease by taking a lipid panel test every five years and managing your cholesterol based on the results. 

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that plays an important role in the body by helping produce cell membranes, vitamin D, and hormones. Your liver and intestines naturally produce around 80% of the cholesterol that you need to stay healthy, and the remaining 20% comes from the food you eat. The problem is that excess cholesterol in your bloodstream can increase your risk of heart disease, so it’s important to keep an eye on these percentages. 

What does a cholesterol test measure? 

Also known as a lipid panel test, a standard cholesterol test is a way to measure the amounts of different fats in the bloodstream – LDL, VLDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Here’s a breakdown of these different types of fats and how they impact your health:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) 

Commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol,” LDL is the fat that causes plaque to build up on the walls of your arteries. Generally speaking, the lower your LDL levels, the better, but this isn’t the only indicator of potential heart or vascular problems. 

Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)

VLDL is another type of “bad cholesterol” that has been linked to a buildup of arterial plaque. However, this indicator is more difficult to quantify and, therefore, is not always measured in a routine cholesterol test. 

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Commonly referred to as “good cholesterol, HDL helps the body get rid of LDL cholesterol. In essence, HDL helps transport LDL from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is then discharged from the body. So if your lipid panel shows higher numbers of this type of cholesterol, that’s actually good news.

Total cholesterol

A lipid panel also measures the total level of cholesterol in your body. This is calculated simply by adding your LDL, HDL, and VLDL numbers together. Ideally, you should have no more than 200 mg/dL of total cholesterol in your bloodstream. Anything above 240 mg/dL means you’re at high risk for developing heart disease. 

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the bloodstream that can also indicate a greater risk of heart disease, especially in females. High-calorie diets, obesity, unmanaged diabetes, and overconsumption of alcohol are all contributing factors to high triglyceride levels. 

As you can see, cholesterol testing is important because most of these fats can cause health problems at elevated levels. This is especially true of LDL and VLDL, which both contribute to the accumulation of arterial plaque. Over time, this accumulation can restrict blood flow, which may lead to several serious conditions: 

• Lack of blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke. 
• Lack of blood flow to the heart can cause a heart attack. 
• Lack of blood flow to your arms or legs can cause peripheral artery disease.

When will your doctor prescribe a cholesterol test? 

High cholesterol doesn’t present any visible symptoms, so routine testing is vital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most healthy adults should undergo a cholesterol screening test every four to six years. However, your doctor may prescribe more frequent cholesterol tests depending on your individual risk factors. These may include:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High-fat diet
• Lack of physical exercise
• A family history of heart disease. 

How to prepare for a cholesterol test 

Depending on the type of cholesterol test your doctor orders, you may or may not have to fast for 9 to 12 hours beforehand. If you’re not required to fast, your doctor is only examining your total cholesterol level. If you are required to fast, your doctor will be looking at the individual levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides in your bloodstream, as well as your total cholesterol. 

What do your cholesterol test results mean?

Now that we’ve covered the basics of cholesterol testing, what do your results actually mean? An ideal range for cholesterol levels is as follows: 

• LDL (bad cholesterol): under 100 mg/dL
• VLDL: under 30 mg/dL
• HDL (good cholesterol): between 40-60 mg/dL (higher is better)
• Total cholesterol: under 200 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: under 150 mg/dL

How to lower your LDL levels 

If your cholesterol figures sit outside the ideal range, you’re likely at a higher risk of developing heart disease, atherosclerosis, or stroke. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to lower your LDL levels and reduce your risk:

• Eat more foods that are high in soluble fiber (apples, carrots, citrus fruits)
• Cut back on foods high in saturated fats (butter, meat, cream)
• Avoid artificial trans fats (commercial baked goods, frozen pizza, margarine)
• Get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week
• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you’re overweight
• Limit your consumption of alcohol and quit smoking
• Take medication, commonly known as statins, that lowers LDL cholesterol 

If that sounds like a lot of work, well, it is. But if you follow your doctor’s recommendations and put all your effort into maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise, you can lower your cholesterol numbers and greatly reduce your risk of developing several serious health conditions.

Help when you need it 

While you’re focused on getting your cholesterol levels back on track, the last thing you want to be concerned about is the cost of your medication. ModRN Health understands that your health needs to be your top priority, which is why we work to ease our members’ financial concerns by helping them find the best deals on their prescriptions. All you need to do is sign up for a free account and try out our easy-to-use price comparison tool. It’s just that simple.

You can’t put a price on great health – and with ModRN Health you won’t have to.