Lipoproteins

"Good" and "Bad" Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid (fatty substance) synthesized in the liver from dietary fats. Our body needs small amounts of cholesterol for normal functioning. There are two types of cholesterol: "good" and "bad". Both types circulate through the body via the bloodstream, and their ratio can indicate the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol is transported in the blood by lipoproteins.

- Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol, can lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on artery walls. The more LDL in the blood, the higher the risk of heart disease.

- High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol, help remove bad cholesterol from the body. The higher the HDL level in your blood, the better it is for your health. If HDL levels are low, the risk of heart disease increases.

- Very Low-Density Lipoproteins (VLDL): similar to LDL, VLDL particles are mostly made of fat and contain only small amounts of protein.

- Triglycerides are another type of fat carried through the bloodstream by very low-density lipoproteins. Excess calories, alcohol, and sugar in the blood are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells throughout the body.

Cholesterol Blood Levels

A blood cholesterol test helps assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The following groups are considered at risk:

• All individuals aged 40 years and older;
• People of any age with a family history of early ischemic heart disease or stroke;
• People of any age with inherited predisposition to lipid metabolism disorders.

Why is high cholesterol dangerous?

Elevated cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, which is why many people don’t realize they have high cholesterol levels. Excess cholesterol can deposit in artery walls, leading to plaque buildup — this condition is called atherosclerosis. Large plaques or those complicated by blood clots can completely block the artery lumen, impairing normal blood flow. This leads to reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues, potentially causing tissue death. If this occurs in the heart, it results in a myocardial infarction (heart attack). In the brain — it causes a stroke.

When should you start checking cholesterol levels?

Every person should begin checking cholesterol levels starting at age 20, every 5 years. A biochemical blood test is required for this — most commonly, total cholesterol is measured.

What should normal cholesterol levels be?

In healthy individuals, total cholesterol levels should be below 5.2 mmol/L. For patients with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the target level should be below 4.5 mmol/L.

If you already suffer from heart or vascular disease or want to prevent it, or if you have diabetes, you can reduce the risk of complications (heart attack, stroke) by lowering your cholesterol levels.