How to monitor your cholesterol — good & bad

Cholesterol can build up in your arteries, restricting or even blocking blood flow to the heart or other areas of the body. If this happens, organs or extremities may not receive sufficient oxygen, which can cause many serious health issues. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol through the bloodstream. There are several different kinds of lipoproteins:

As you strive to maintain optimal health, it’s important to monitor your good and bad cholesterol levels.

Control Your Cholesterol

“Control Your Cholesterol” by Juhansonin is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Negative effects of high cholesterol

A number of factors can affect your cholesterol level. While genetics can play a role in whether someone develops high cholesterol, there are other origins like diet, activity level, and obesity. A diagnosis of high cholesterol generally involves elevated LDL levels in the bloodstream that accumulate gradually over time as people age.

Healthy arteries are smooth, enabling blood to flow easily. Arteries can become damaged as blood filled with LDLs moves through. With this damage, plaque begins to accumulate on the insides of arteries, restricting blood flow. Arteries may bulge, and blood clots can form. Eventually, a significant health event such as a heart attack or stroke may occur.

Diseases associated with high cholesterol

A number of diseases have a link to high cholesterol. For this reason, it’s important to monitor your cholesterol levels to ensure that you are not at risk for developing severe health issues. Coronary heart disease is the leading health issue commonly related to high cholesterol. Plaque accumulation in arteries often leads to atherosclerosis, which involves restricted blood flow in arteries. This decrease in blood flow could result in a heart attack if it involves blood flow to the heart or a stroke if it involves blood flow to the brain. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease are additional diseases associated with high cholesterol levels.

Good vs. bad cholesterol

Low-density and high-density cholesterol have different effects on the body. The purpose of LDL cholesterol is to transport cholesterol from the liver to waiting cells. If the body accumulates an overabundance of LDL cholesterol, it will build up in arteries, causing health issues. The purpose of HDL cholesterol is to transport cholesterol from cells back to the liver. Once the liver receives HDL cholesterol, it either breaks it down or passes it on for the body to eliminate. Consequently, an accumulation of HDL would not cause harmful health issues.

Foods for reducing cholesterol level

Cholesterol Free Zone

“Cholesterol Free Zone” by Tellumo is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The foods you eat can be an effective way to lower your cholesterol level.

Other ways to reduce cholesterol levels

A physician may recommend other options for reducing cholesterol levels. Some methods are low-tech, involving lifestyle changes. For example, adding an exercise regimen of cardiovascular activity to your daily routine can help lower cholesterol levels. Daily physical activity can result in weight loss, which generally improves cholesterol levels. Exercise may also improve how LDL cholesterol moves through the bloodstream, resulting in cholesterol-level improvements. A high-tech treatment option involves prescribed medication that can help lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Last reviewed and updated by on Aug 1, 2021