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TwitThisLow-Density Lipoprotein
Low-density lipoproteins, or LDLs, are the primary foes -- the archenemies, in fact. LDLs carry most of the cholesterol (75 to 80 percent) in the blood, depositing it into the cells, including the arteries. There these particles contribute to the formation of plaque, which narrows the arteries. That reduces the amount of blood that can get through, diminishing the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart.Some LDL types are more dangerous than others. Smaller, denser LDL particles are more damaging to blood vessels because it's easier for them to cross the lining of the vessel and burrow into the vessel wall.
Most people won't know what type of LDL they have because the tests to determine it are too expensive and complicated for the typical doctor's office. If you already have coronary heart disease (CHD), or have a strong family history of CHD, and your doctor has sent you to a cardiac specialist, that doctor may run more detailed tests to better understand your risk. But it doesn't matter much, as the focus remains the same regardless: Lower the amount of LDL in your body.
So what's the ideal LDL level? That depends on your personal history and other risk factors for CHD. But if you're a man 45 or older or a woman 55 or older and don't have CHD, diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of premature CHD, and don't smoke, here's what you should aim for (levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dl -- a deciliter is about 3 ounces). An optimal LDL level is less than 100 mg/dl. 130-159 mg/dl is borderline high and anything above 160 mg/dl is high.
Everything from your weight to whether or not you smoke to your family health history -- even the amount of stress you're under -- affects your LDL level. Of course, your diet makes a difference, too, particularly the types of fats you eat.
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