You have had the cholesterol conversation with your doctor enough times that the numbers feel familiar. LDL, HDL, triglycerides. Good and bad.

Understanding the Context

High and low. The ... Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from cells. One is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL.

Key Insights

The other is high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. A test measures the amount of each type of cholesterol in your blood. Your cholesterol levels show how much cholesterol is in your blood. Your HDL is the one number you want to be high (ideally 60 to 80). Your LDL should be below 100.

Final Thoughts

High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your blood vessels. Your primary care provider can order a simple blood test called a lipid panel, which measures four key blood fats: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. These results, combined with your personal risk factors, help identify your risk for heart disease and provide a helpful picture of your cardiac health. LDL cholesterol, often called “bad cholesterol,” can accumulate in the arteries, potentially leading to blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. HDL cholesterol, known as “good cholesterol,”...

When your doctor shares your labs, it’s filled with acronyms like LDL and HDL, and a whole lot of numbers. What do those numbers mean? What is a normal range for your cholesterol ratio—and what... Cholesterol levels are checked using lipid profile tests.