Bad cholesterol (LDL): what it is and how to know if it is high

LDL cholesterol is important for the proper functioning of the body as long as it is within desirable values, as it contributes to the formation of hormones, vitamin D and bile.

However, when in excess, it can accumulate inside the blood vessels and favor the formation of fatty plaques that can restrict the passage of blood through the vessels and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke and, therefore, it is also known such as bad or bad cholesterol.

Therefore, to avoid the risks related to high bad cholesterol, it is important to practice physical activity regularly and have a diet low in fats and sugars.

How to know if you are high

To find out if LDL cholesterol is high, it is important to have a blood test to assess total cholesterol levels and fractions, as high LDL does not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms. It is possible to suspect that LDL is high when you are above your ideal weight and when you have an unhealthy diet, with an excess of soft drinks, fried foods, fatty meats and sweets.

In general, reference values ​​for LDL cholesterol are between 50 and 130 mg/dL. The recommendation to carry out these tests must be individualized and guided by the doctor, and people with associated risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking or who have a family history of high cholesterol, require greater care and should undergo these tests annually. .

Make an appointment with the nearest doctor to check whether the exam is necessary:

Cholesterol calculator

Enter your test results into the calculator below to find out if your LDL cholesterol is good:

What to do to reduce

To reduce circulating LDL cholesterol levels, it is recommended:

• Practice physical activity regularlymainly aerobic exercises, so that cholesterol is used as a source of energy, preventing it from accumulating;
• Use medications recommended by your doctorin some cases, such as Simvastatin, Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin, which help reduce LDL levels;
• Have a healthy eating, prioritizing foods rich in fiber, as they help to lower circulating cholesterol. See a list of foods to lower cholesterol.

It is also recommended to avoid yellow cheeses, processed and processed foods, fried foods, soft drinks and foods rich in trans fat, as they increase LDL cholesterol. Learn more about what to do to lower LDL.