The friend and foe of your heart: HDL and LDL cholesterol
Although cholesterol is necessary for our body's vital functions, an excess can lead to health problems. However, not all cholesterol is the same. Two different types, known as HDL and LDL cholesterol, have opposite effects on heart health. So, what are the differences between these two types of cholesterol, and which one is more important for our health?
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What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of lipid, or fat, with a waxy structure that is found in human blood and produced naturally by all cells, primarily in the liver. Cholesterol has a waxy structure found in the blood. The human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to build healthy cells, using it in cell membranes as well as in the creation of certain hormones and vitamin D.
However, cholesterol does not dissolve in water, so it cannot pass into the blood on its own and cannot be distributed throughout the body by itself. To help transport cholesterol, the liver produces lipoproteins. Lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the human body are divided into two groups with different functions: low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL.
While LDL carries out the transport of cholesterol within the bloodstream, HDL ensures the transport of cholesterol within the liver and tissues. Total cholesterol, also known as total cholesterol, is the sum of both types of cholesterol found in the blood.
When cholesterol levels in the blood rise, it can cause both the hardening of arteries and the formation of fat deposits in blood vessels. These fat deposits are called cholesterol plaques. These plaques, which grow over time, cause the vessels to narrow, blocking sufficient blood flow and leading to various health problems.
High cholesterol can be linked to genetic factors, but it is mostly caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, and this condition is preventable and treatable. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and in some cases, medication, can help lower cholesterol levels.
What is LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is also called bad cholesterol. Its job is to carry cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat the body uses for energy, in the arteries. If an individual's LDL cholesterol level is too high, it can accumulate on the walls of the arteries over time.
This condition is called atherosclerosis, and the resulting plaques are referred to as cholesterol plaques or atherosclerotic plaques. In some cases, these deposits can rupture and cause blood clots, which can disrupt the blood flow to various organs, especially the heart.
If a blood clot formed in this way blocks the vessels leading to the heart, it can cause a heart attack, or if it blocks a vessel leading to the brain, it can cause a stroke. High cholesterol can also create bile imbalance and increase the risk of gallstones.
What is HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)?
HDL is a structure composed of both fats and proteins responsible for carrying cholesterol, a type of fat defined as good cholesterol, in the blood. HDL cholesterol, which helps the body get rid of excess cholesterol, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
HDL cholesterol takes cholesterol circulating freely within tissues through reverse cholesterol transport and carries it to the liver to be used or excreted. The liver then breaks down this cholesterol and removes it from the body. By preventing the accumulation of too much cholesterol in the blood, HDL reduces the risk of plaque buildup in the artery wall, or atherosclerosis. For this reason, HDL is beneficial cholesterol.
How is cholesterol treated?
Doctors primarily recommend lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol levels in individuals diagnosed with high cholesterol. For example, they may advise changes in an individual's diet, exercise habits, or other aspects of their daily routine.
However, in cases where diet and lifestyle changes are not sufficient, doctors may also prescribe medications or other treatments to help lower cholesterol levels. Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. These drugs prevent the liver from producing more cholesterol.
In addition, they may also prescribe niacin, sequestrants, cholestyramine, or cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Some of these medications are a combination of drugs that help reduce both the body's absorption of cholesterol from food and the liver's production of cholesterol.
Source: Acıbadem