You’ve probably heard about “good” and “bad” cholesterol during a checkup — but what do those terms really mean? At Harlem Cardiology, we believe understanding your cholesterol levels is a powerful step toward protecting your heart health.
Below, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques and our team of experts deep dive into the basics of cholesterol, the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol, and how to improve your numbers.
Cholesterol — a waxy, fatlike substance — is found in your blood. Your body needs it to build cells, produce hormones, and help with digestion. But too much cholesterol — especially the wrong kind — can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. This is the type of cholesterol that can build up in your arteries and create plaque that narrows blood flow.
When your arteries become clogged with plaque, it’s called atherosclerosis, and it increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Depending on which blood vessels become blocked, you may experience other conditions including peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease, chest pain, or even kidney failure.
The bottom line: Too much LDL in your bloodstream can silently damage your cardiovascular system over time. That’s why LDL has earned its reputation as the “bad” cholesterol.
A heart-healthy lifestyle and, when necessary, medications can help keep LDL levels in check.
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. Think of this as the cleanup crew — HDL collects excess cholesterol from your bloodstream and carries it back to your liver, where it can be removed from your body.
Higher levels of HDL are actually protective. They help reduce your risk of heart disease by clearing out the “bad” cholesterol before it causes problems.
While the “right” cholesterol levels can vary depending on your individual health factors, general guidelines are:
Your cholesterol numbers are checked easily through a fasted blood test called a lipid panel.
The good news is that if your numbers aren’t on target, you have several options to remedy them.
Lifestyle changes should be your first go-to — regular exercise, dietary modifications (like avoiding saturated and trans fat, eating more fruit and vegetables, eating more fiber), smoking cessation, and weight management can go a long way in improving your HDL and lowering your LDL. Try to make small, sustainable changes. For example, even losing just 10 pounds can make an improvement.
These lifestyle changes don’t just affect your cholesterol. They can also help lower inflammation, lower your blood pressure levels, and reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
While lifestyle changes are invaluable, you may also benefit from medication. Unfortunately, only about 54.5% of people who could benefit from cholesterol medicine are actually taking it. This could be because high cholesterol is silent — another reason why routine physicals and labs are so important. You can’t fix it if you don’t know it’s too high.
If you could benefit from medication, we can help sort through your options. There are many different medication options available, and your Harlem Cardiology provider can recommend the right medication to safely lower your cholesterol levels.
At Harlem Cardiology, we specialize in helping you take control of your heart health. With an expert team consisting of family medicine providers and board-certified cardiologists, we provide comprehensive, personalized care to prevent, manage, and treat cardiovascular conditions at every stage.
If you’re unsure about your cholesterol levels or how to improve them, don’t hesitate to visit us in East Harlem, New York. You can reach our office at 646-381-2181 or through our online booking system.
