Maybe you recently had your cholesterol tested by your doctor. The report gave you some names and numbers which probably meant zilch to you. Do you understand HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL? Do you want to avoid cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke or aneurysms? If not, go on to another site. If you do, then read on.

Cholesterol is a lipid or fat that is found in cell membranes and in the blood. It comes from two main sources: your diet and liver production. Substances we eat such as plants have no cholesterol. Animal foods are high in cholesterol like meats, liver, eggs and other organs like brain. These foods are digested and the cholesterol and another type of fat called a triglyceride is absorbed and combined with a protein to transport them in the blood. These lipo-proteins are 90% triglyceride and 10% cholesterol and are called chylomicrons. The liver takes them from the blood and makes cholesterol. This is released into the blood.

There are several types of cholesterol. Your total serum or blood cholesterol is the sum of all of them. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as “bad cholesterol”. High levels are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. LDL deposits cholesterol in the plaques in arteries allowing build up and subsequent blockage. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein (HDL) is called “good cholesterol” because it absorbs cholesterol from plaque and carries it away. The ratio of the two is important. One wants to have high HDL and a low LDL levels to prevent heart disease.

Triglyceride is a substance made up of three fatty acids. It is more related to one’s lifestyle than anything else. If you have high triglyceride levels you also have a high cholesterol level and high LDL and a low HDL. Obesity, alcohol intake, a sedentary life, birth control pills, diabetes and smoking can result in this. There are also genetic related causes of high triglyceride levels. The question remains open as to how involved in heart disease triglycerides are however.

So what does it all mean? If your total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dl, you are at low risk for heart disease. If over 240, you have a high risk. You have twice the risk of coronary disease as normal. In between is the borderline area—the gray zone. You should have your LDL and HDL determined if borderline or high in order to resolve your status. You should look for a high HDL content (above 40-60 mg/dl depending on sex) and a low LDL level (less than 100 mg/dl). The triglyceride level should be below 150 mg/dl. These may vary from lab to lab and by methodology so discuss them with your doctor to determine your risk.