LDL Cholesterol

Cholesterol is present in all cells in the body. The liver makes this waxy, fat-like substance, which is also in certain foods like dairy products and meat. Cholesterol is important in the body, and you need it for proper body functioning, but excess cholesterol in your blood elevates your risk of coronary artery disease.

What are LDL and HDL?

HDL and LDL are lipoproteins. These are a combination of protein and lipid (fat). Lipids need to be attached to proteins to enable their transportation in the blood. LDL and HDL serve different purposes.

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) – is also referred to as bad cholesterol because a high LDL level can cause the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – is also referred to as good cholesterol because it moves cholesterol from other body parts to the liver, and the liver removes the cholesterol from the body

How does a high LDL level increase my coronary artery disease risk and the risk of other diseases?

If your LDL level is high, your blood may have excess LDL cholesterol. The excess LDL and other substances will combine to form plaque. The accumulation of plaque in your arteries results in a condition known as atherosclerosis.

Coronary artery diseases occur from the build-up of plaque in arteries in your heart. This hardens and narrows the arteries, which block or limit blood flow to the heart. Since the blood carries oxygen to the heart, the heart may not get enough oxygen due to little or no blood supply from plaques in the arteries. This may cause angina, and a heart attack will occur if the blood flow is completely cut off.

How can I check my LDL level?

You can undergo a common blood test to check your cholesterol level, including LDL. The time and frequency of testing will depend on your age, family history and risk factors. The following are general recommendations.

People aged 19 or younger

• The first test should be between the ages of 9 – 11
• Testing every five years for children
• If there is a family history of heart attack, stroke, or high blood cholesterol, children can start testing at age two

People aged 20 or older

• Younger adults usually need testing every five years
• Women between 55 – 65 years and men between 45 – 65 years need this test every 1 – 2 years

If you have a family history of elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes or heart disease, you may need more frequent cholesterol checks.

What factors affect my LDL level?

Factors that may affect your LDL level are:

• Diet

  Cholesterol and saturated fat in food can elevate your LDL level.

• Weight

  If you are overweight, your LDL level may be high with a reduced HDL level. This may also raise your total cholesterol level.

• Physical activity

  Little or no physical activity can cause weight gain, which may increase your LDL level.

• Smoking

  Smoking cigarettes can reduce your HDL cholesterol, and HDL helps remove LDL from the blood. This means low HDL can contribute to increased LDL levels.

• Sex and age

  As we grow older, cholesterol levels usually rise. Before menopause, women usually have lower cholesterol levels than men of the same age. After menopause, women often experience elevated LDL levels.

• Genetics

  Your genes contribute to the amount of cholesterol your body produces. High cholesterol levels run in some families. For instance, some people have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited type of high blood cholesterol.

• Medicines

  Some medicines like steroids, HIV medicines and some blood pressure medicines can increase LDL levels.

• Other medical conditions

  Chronic kidney disease, HIV and diabetes can contribute to higher LDL levels.

• Ethnicity or Race

  People from some ethnic or racial groups may have an increased risk of high blood cholesterol. An example is African Americans, who usually have higher LDL and HDL cholesterol than other ethnic groups, while Asian Americans tend to have the highest LDL levels.

What is the normal LDL level?

Lower LDL levels are ideal because the higher the LDL, the more your risk of coronary artery disease and other related health issues. The range of LDL for healthy adults includes:

If you have a high risk of coronary artery disease or have the condition, your healthcare provider may aim for a different LDL level range.

How can I reduce my LDL level?

Two main ways are available to reduce your LDL level. They include:

Heart-healthy lifestyle changes such as:

• Heart-healthy eating – With a heart-healthy eating plan, you can reduce the amount of trans and saturated fats in your diet. The DASH eating plan and the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet are examples of plants that can reduce your LDL level.
• Weight Management – Consider losing weight to reduce your LDL level if you are overweight
• Physical activity – Ensure you engage in physical activities regularly

Drugs treatment

If lifestyle changes alone aren’t sufficient to reduce your LDL level, you may need medications. Different types of cholesterol-lowering medications are available, including statins. The medicines have varying working mechanisms and side effects.

Ensure you talk to your provider about the most suitable option. Medicines may lower your LDL level, but you still need to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Some people with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) may get lipoprotein apheresis – a treatment requiring a filtering machine to clear LDL cholesterol from the blood before returning the blood to the body.

If you want to check your LDL level, visit our Clinic for a cholesterol level test, including an LDL level check. You can also call us on 02071830244 to book your test.