What do ldl mean

A buildup of plaque can lead to :. A person may need to have cholesterol tests more often if they have certain risk factors, including :. Before having an LDL blood test, a person may have to fast for 9—12 hours. Fasting means that a person cannot eat or drink anything but water during this time. However, a doctor may decide that a person does not need to fast before their LDL blood test. A study from suggests that differences between fasting and nonfasting LDL cholesterol levels are insignificant.

Research from , however, suggests that people at higher risk may benefit from fasting before an LDL blood test. Due to this, it is important that people follow the instructions that their doctors give them. A person should let their doctor know before an LDL blood test if they are unwell, pregnant, or taking certain medications. A person undergoing a direct LDL cholesterol test does not need to do anything to prepare for their test.

Learn more about fasting before a cholesterol test here. If a person is measuring their cholesterol using a home testing kit, they will prick their own finger to obtain a blood sample.

The following table shows the classifications of other ranges of LDL cholesterol for adults aged 40—75 years:. If a person has high LDL cholesterol levels, their doctor may ask them about their family history, health, and lifestyle to determine what treatment will suit them best. Learn more about ideal cholesterol levels according to age here. Doctors may advise a person with high LDL cholesterol to make the following changes where applicable:.

Low levels of LDL cholesterol can be a positive result. However, they can sometimes be due to health issues, such as:. Learn more about ways to lower cholesterol here. Cholesterol plays an important role in a range of bodily functions. However, high levels of LDL cholesterol can put a person at risk of heart disease. A person should have an LDL cholesterol level test every 4—6 years. People with certain risk factors should undergo more frequent testing.

Before having an LDL blood test, a person may need to fast for 9—12 hours. Only one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet.

A high triglyceride level combined with high LDL bad cholesterol or low HDL good cholesterol is linked with fatty buildups within the artery walls, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Watch an animation about cholesterol.

Watch an animation about atherosclerosis. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. This part of your test results is a composite of different measurements. Like HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, your total blood cholesterol level should be considered in context with your other known risk factors. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers.

See our editorial policies and staff. About Cholesterol. Causes of High Cholesterol. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol. Cholesterol Tools and Resources. Cholesterol Podcasts. Understanding your cholesterol levels Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is a great way to keep your heart healthy.

But first, you have to know your cholesterol numbers. The American Heart Association recommends All adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every four to six years.

Triglycerides Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body.