What are the good and bad Cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as “bad cholesterol”. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as “good cholesterol”. When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. It can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, if a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result. HDL cholesterol is known as “good cholesterol”, because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL also increase the risk of heart disease. HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some medical experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, thus slowing its buildup.
