Good And Bad Cholestrol- Finally understand your lipid profile
You have good and bad cholesterol. We hear it a lot—but what does that phrase really mean? Cholesterol is neither good nor bad in itself: it’s an essential fat that your body makes and transports. What changes everything is the vehicle that carries it. Your lipid profile features two transporters with opposite roles—here’s their duel, explained line by line The duel, in two carriers All cholesterol flows around lipoproteins. Two of them do most of the work—and pull in opposite directions THE “BAD” LDL Low-density lipoprotein delivers cholesterol to tissues—and deposits the excess cholesterol in the walls of the arteries, where it forms plaque. This is the main target of treatments VS THE “GOOD” HDL High-density lipoprotein does the opposite: it collects excess cholesterol and brings it back to the liver for elimination. Here, the higher, the better. What about triglycerides? These are separate fats, linked to diet, alcohol, and weight. When they are high, the LDL calculation becomes less reliable—and we then turn to non-HDL cholesterol, which lumps together all the harmful particles at once. Neither hero nor villain—a balance The truth is more subtle than “good vs. bad.” What matters is the ratio between the two. A ratio of total cholesterol to HDL that is too high signals an imbalance—too much transport to the arteries, not enough return to the liver. This is often a better indicator of risk than a single number taken in isolation. The verdict You never read a single number. The LDL you want low, the HDL you want high, the triglycerides under control, and the overall ratio—together, they map your risk much better than a single value Moving The Scales The good news: each tray on the scale responds to your actions. Physical activity tends to raise HDL; reducing saturated fat and alcohol helps lower LDL and triglycerides. And when the risk warrants it, medication is added—not in place of these changes, but with them. The test is simple: a blood test, without fasting for most people. At a glance Is HDL still “good”? In general, a higher HDL is favorable, but it’s not a hard and fast rule at all costs. It is always read with LDL, triglycerides, and your overall risk. Do I have to fast for the test? Usually not. Canadian guidelines allow non-fasting sampling for most adults. Which number matters most? LDL remains the primary target, but non-HDL cholesterol (or ApoB) and the total to HDL ratio provide a more complete picture—especially if triglycerides are high. Your assessment tells a story in two characters Our team can decode each line with you, explain your report and personal targets, review your medications, and integrate it into a heart health plan, within our Chronic Disease Management Center. Make an appointment · 5020 des Laurentides Boulevard, Laval · 450-736-1500 Book online: https://clixibook.com/hub/services-kami?servicePoint=35 Sources Canadian Cardiovascular Society. 2021 Dyslipidemia Guidelines: test without fasting recommended unless triglycerides > 4.5 mmol/L; non-HDL or ApoB cholesterol preferred when triglycerides ≥ 1.5 mmol/L. Health Canada. Cholesterol information: HDL returns cholesterol to the liver; LDL deposits it in the arteries; the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is a useful indicator of risk. Diabetes Canada / lipid guidelines: LDL is the primary target of treatments; target values based on risk. Statistics Canada — CHMS (2016-2019): Adult mean LDL 2.77 mmol/L; 14% had unhealthy LDL. American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association: Cholesterol is transported via lipoproteins; excess LDL leads to plaque buildup.