LDL cholesterol levels

LDL cholesterol, commonly called "bad cholesterol," is a fat that circulates in the blood, moving cholesterol through the body to where it is needed for cell repair and depositing it on the inside of artery walls.

LDL cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a lipoprotein whose function is to transport cholesterol to the cells where it exerts its function. It is estimated that LDL cholesterol transports about 60-70% of total serum cholesterol. It differs from other types of cholesterol transporters such as HDL in that its density is lower.

It is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" because when LDL cholesterol levels are too high, a condition called hypercholesterolemia, it increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Elevated LDL levels lead to the accumulation of LDL-C in the arterial wall. Following the accumulation of LDL, its oxidation occurs. Oxidized LDL can cause extensive damage to the arterial wall, including eliciting an inflammatory response, promoting coagulation, increasing the activity of some substances that cause vasoconstriction, and inhibiting some substances that cause vasodilation.

The following are the default standard LDL cholesterol levels:

• Optimal: less than 100 mg/ dL.
• Near optimal/above optimal: 100 to 129 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 130 to 159 mg/dL
• High: 160 to 189 mg/dL
• Very high: more than 190 mg/dL