8 key insights about cholesterol, including how to manage 'bad' LDL cholesterol and prevent high cholesterol risks.

By Ibinu Vadakkan Dec 12, 2024

What Is Cholesterol?

[{"selector":"#anim-2227bec0-5d39-47f4-a75c-7453b8ddba3c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72b81567-f532-4f20-bba0-e25cb560a9e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf73e3dd-7892-4d92-8084-2c21fef11e5d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd42d0e9-6f89-4ba8-8afd-4e60cc1654ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a1f8cb0-833a-416d-ac22-6bd60f375730","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Cholesterol is a fatty substance your body needs, but too much can harm your heart. Balance is key!

Understanding LDL Cholesterol

[{"selector":"#anim-b4f5386f-81cd-4edc-9006-bfcf9442c3e9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-34770650-e5d1-4fcf-882f-ffebedd2ad60","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e75c116-c95f-435a-b4e5-cef7715d78c4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e850ebed-290b-484f-838d-a45d21671266","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-420cd32b-a879-43dc-bb3f-753aa8826a33","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] LDL cholesterol, often called 'bad cholesterol,' can clog your arteries if it’s too high.

High Cholesterol Risks

[{"selector":"#anim-f2497cc2-d90a-458b-bed1-6ba5ea815ea7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c36a9732-ba5e-46ab-a1c6-4a30adf639a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e80e4cca-9d05-4243-950a-3517d6fa6c97","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0925390a-66bb-4d99-a05c-91130ff9e9da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-811743da-31de-42dd-984e-c48aeac7e0ac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] High cholesterol sneaks up silently, raising risks of heart attacks and strokes.

Why Low-Density Lipoprotein Matters

[{"selector":"#anim-d0e4121c-6ed8-49d1-9af3-04256f6c26fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(17.505469625649532%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9a3bde2-746d-42cc-8f2b-22a1e70d97e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b7f24746-a6b1-428a-af02-177e5ab42ac2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bff3a428-c628-4171-882b-f216060173f8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6de2cc42-c07e-42ac-a53a-f9d22e8de001","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries cholesterol through your blood—but too much spells trouble.

Why 'Bad' Cholesterol Is Bad

[{"selector":"#anim-173c3fe6-db54-4430-9c10-fff25a72e1e8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0eb0d24-d259-4e6d-b1a1-d4da5a952e07","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e33f457e-8a8b-4edc-b0cc-2b4550d9fb95","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9309defb-2b85-487d-b52a-595d305997ef","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e851782b-7ea0-45a8-87b1-ff5b7360397b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Bad cholesterol' sticks to your artery walls, making them narrow and stiff over time.

Causes of LDL Cholesterol High Levels

[{"selector":"#anim-ac23e6e5-2540-46f1-93b2-300787a50e56 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a185e31-b0c6-4411-ad3e-b4562d7de8ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f3fe639-59a5-44dd-938d-fd4a7e328278","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3a4dbb3-e1bc-421a-bcaf-7c2da555b263","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf4c6248-4c30-4cfd-a282-63ec0bf6596e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and genetics can push your LDL levels higher.

How to Lower LDL Cholesterol

[{"selector":"#anim-0d1b7c10-e5ca-41a6-917b-fa83a171a040 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-867891fd-7a1b-409b-b48b-914fe8b5be96","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-385f60a0-a5f7-4a25-80a0-367443d89a92","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-144bedc6-9430-48b2-9291-2b2211274ea3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c58197a8-5f2e-4b03-b36f-35cb1c5b3230","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Eat more fiber, exercise regularly, and talk to your doctor about medications if needed.

Prevention Is the Best Cure

[{"selector":"#anim-c5e9bd6a-14b1-4c45-b3ab-52b5ed0771b3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-0.7601351459241847%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-06df0800-d021-4d0a-88b5-c6f5a298ffd1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a8fa9ad-3ea6-4e71-9b78-a1576567afc2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-549098d9-5660-469c-8f1e-d54227baf524","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5702ba89-9e97-4b8b-8e9f-e1299dcd8898","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(109.91253%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Regular check-ups can catch high cholesterol early. Prevention starts with awareness!

Discover 8 crucial facts about chest pain, its symptoms, causes, and prevention tips. Learn how to recognize heart pain and what to do next!

[{"selector":"#anim-a8de3a5d-75fd-4335-8f38-e389587bc67e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eedfec38-d966-44e3-b412-a10a17849a02","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -578.64937%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -162.716202844%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -55.318879772%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -20.773512383%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -9.026930171999998%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both"}] Learn more