The "good" and "bad" cholesterol ... What does it mean?

LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) is also called "bad cholesterol". When there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it accumulates on the inner wall of blood vessels and makes blood flow more difficult. The result is an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) is also called "good cholesterol". It helps remove LDL cholesterol from the blood vessel walls, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

VLDL cholesterol (cholesterol of very low density lipoprotein) is produced in the liver and converted to LDL cholesterol in the blood.

Triglycerides (TG) differ from cholesterol. This is another type of fat often found in the body. The rate of TG is measured simultaneously with cholesterol. The TG can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke and may also lower HDL cholesterol.

The total cholesterol (TC) can be measured directly from a blood test. It is roughly equivalent to the total amount of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol in the blood.

The non-HDL cholesterol (non HDL-C) measures all types of cholesterol other than HDL cholesterol. It is equivalent to total cholesterol (TC) minus HDL cholesterol. It is a good measure of the amount of harmful cholesterol in the blood of a person.

Wondering about your cholesterol? Ask your doctor about getting tested. There are other tests that your doctor may want to assess your risk of heart disease. Ask your doctor what tests you should have.