4.3.1. What is Cholesterol?

1. What are LDL and HDL?'

-LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). -LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" because too much is unhealthy. An LDL is a low-density lipoprotein that transports cholesterol to and from the cells, takes cholesterol to the cells from the liver; high levels can lead to buildup in the arteries and result in heart disease. An HDL is a high-density lipoprotein, removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and takes it back to the liver; can reduce risk of heart disease and stroke

3. Why do doctors monitor the concentrations of LDL and HDL in patients' blood?

Doctors evaluate the risk of heart disease and other associated disorders that between 40 - 60 mg/dL for HDL, and less than 129 mg/dL for LDL.

5. What other molecules in a patient's blood are monitored along with LDL and HDL?

Other molecules that are monitored in the patient's blood along with LDL and HDL are Triglycerides, blood sugar level, total cholesterol.

7. What can patients do to change the levels of LDL and HDL in their blood?

Patients can change the levels of LDL and HDL by changing their diet and lowering the amount saturated fat consumed, increase in physical activity, losing weight, lowering stress, and medication.

8. How does intake of unsaturated, saturated, and trans fats affect cholesterol levels and overall health?

The intake of unsaturated fats help reduce LDL, and lower risk of heart disease and stroke which provide nutrients to help develop and maintain cells. Saturated fats raise the level of cholesterol in blood which cause high levels that can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. And trans fats are partially hydrogenated, raises LDL, which can clog arteries and cause heart disease, and lower HDL.

6. What do the results of a cholesterol test mean? How do patients interpret each value?

The results of the test will show cholesterol levels and help the doctor indicate if the patient is at risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next few years . The results of the cholesterol test show whether your cholesterol levels are healthy. Patients can interpret each value based upon scales for each molecule. For total cholesterol, less than 200 mg/dL is considered healthy and 240 mg/dL is high. — mg/dL = milliliters per deciliter

2. How do LDL and HDL differ structurally and functionally?

Their compositions. Approximately 50 percent of the weight of an LDL particle is cholesterol and only 25 percent is protein. High-density lipoprotein particles, on the other hand, consist of 20 percent cholesterol by weight and 50 percent protein. LDL transports cholesterol to the liver/other cells, while HDL removes excess cholesterol and takes it back to liver