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Your Cholesterol NumbersLipids are fats within the body that travel in the blood.1 Your body naturally produces lipids, but some of these fats also come from the foods that you eat.2 You may already know about one type of lipid: LDL or "bad" cholesterol. But there are two other lipids that together with LDL make up your cholesterol levels: HDL or "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides.
It may surprise you that these lipids in your blood aren’t all bad. Your body needs some cholesterol to function, but the wrong amounts may be unhealthy.2
Cholesterol is carried in the blood by special carriers called lipoproteins.3
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Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) are known as "bad" cholesterol. At higher levels, LDL combines with other substances to form plaque in your arteries. Plaque can build up and slow blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs.1,3 That's why you want your LDL to be lower. |
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High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) are known as "good" cholesterol. They get their good name because they are thought to carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where the body can eliminate it.3 So it's better for your HDL to be higher. |
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Triglycerides (trigs) are a type of fat in the blood. They're made in the liver and also come from foods that you eat. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL or high LDL is associated with the buildup of fat in the blood. That's one reason why you want your trigs to be lower. |
When your doctor measures your cholesterol, he or she measures your triglycerides, too. A high triglyceride level often goes hand in hand with a high LDL level and lower HDL level.3 So if you are treating high LDL, your doctor may be watching your triglycerides as well. Learn what your cholesterol numbers mean.
For more information, talk with your healthcare provider.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you cannot afford your medication, contact: www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) for assistance.
References:
1. Mayo Clinic. High Cholesterol. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-cholesterol/DS00178. Last update June 1, 2011. Accessed October 25, 2011.
2. American Heart Association. About Cholesterol. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/About-Cholesterol_UCM_001220_Article.jsp. Last update June 13, 2011. Accessed October 25, 2011.
3. American Heart Association. Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp. Last update June 13, 2011. Accessed October 25, 2011.
Use this tool to create a list of questions to ask your doctor during your next office visit.
Use this helpful information to understand your cholesterol numbers.