Vital laboratory package Sport Woman includes 31 values that indicate what changes you can make in your lifestyle habits to improve your fitness and endurance.
LDL is a “bad” cholesterol
The LDL cholesterol level shows the amount of harmful cholesterol in the blood.
LDL cholesterol
- Excess LDL cholesterol begins to build up in the artery walls because the cholesterol circulation in the artery wall gets weaker.
- Regular blood tests will help to identify elevated cholesterol levels, enabling appropriate treatment.
- Most common cause of high cholesterol (LDL) is a diet excessively rich in saturated fats.
What is LDL cholesterol?
LDL, or low-density lipoproteins, transport the majority of blood cholesterol and help cholesterol travel from the bloodstream to tissues. Excess cholesterol remains in the bloodstream and can accumulate in the walls of arteries, narrowing them. This type of cholesterol is also referred to as “bad” cholesterol.
The higher the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood, the more plaque typically forms on the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, the concentration of bad cholesterol usually better reflects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease than total cholesterol.
How can I get my LDL cholesterol tested?
The amount of LDL cholesterol can be measured with blood tests.
The measurement of cholesterol (lipids or fat values) can consist of various components, common values that are analyzed include:
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
Why is LDL cholesterol harmful?
Over time, LDL cholesterol can build up in the artery walls. The build-up accumulates monocyte white cells. They are activated and transformed into macrophages, or phagocytes that are responsible for removing cholesterol from the artery walls. Good cholesterol (HDL) aims to remove cholesterol from macrophages back into the bloodstream and out of the body.
Excess LDL cholesterol begins to build up in the artery walls because the cholesterol circulation in the artery wall gets weaker. Extracellular cholesterol released by dying macrophages gradually appears on the artery wall. The cholesterol build-up condenses and grows outward and an atheromatous plaque is formed.
The atheromatous plaque gradually begins to narrow the blood vessel. Excess cholesterol can accumulate in any artery. Particularly during exercise, impaired blood flow due to the obstruction prevents the free flow of blood. The area in question suffers from a lack of blood flow, leading to a lack of oxygen. Lack of oxygen due to lack of blood flow manifests itself as pain either at rest or during exercise.
The surface of the atheromatous plaque may also suddenly rupture, resulting in a blood clot. The blood clot blocks the artery in question and prevents blood, oxygen, and glucose from entering the artery area, causing tissue death or an infarction.
Recommended values for LDL cholesterol
Reference levels may vary depending on the laboratory and the test analysis method.
Why is LDL cholesterol measured?
LDL cholesterol test measures the amount of harmful LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the blood.
Therefore, the concentration of bad cholesterol usually better reflects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease than total cholesterol.
Regular blood tests will help to identify elevated cholesterol, enabling appropriate treatment.
Adult’s total cholesterol should ideally be measured at least every five years. Values are typically measured more frequently if:
- person has diabetes
- there is a family history of cardiovascular diseasse
- person has poor cholesterol levels
- there have been changes in the person’s hormonal function
- person smokes.
If a person is found to have elevated cholesterol known as hypercholesterolemia, medication is initiated and self-care is intensified. Cholesterol levels are usually measured approximately one month after starting treatment. Values are checked about once a year once hypercholesterolemia treatment is established.
High LDL cholesterol levels
Many factors can affect LDL cholesterol levels. Typically, high LDL cholesterol levels are caused by unhealthy habits that can be detrimental to health, including:
- smoking
- lack of exercise
- diet high in fat and cholesterol-raising foods
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- hypothyroidism
In addition, certain medications can raise LDL cholesterol levels, including:
- anabolic steroids
- beta-blockers
- growth hormone
- hormone replacement therapy
- corticosteroids
- diuretics
How can you reduce LDL cholesterol?
Most common cause of high cholesterol (LDL) is a diet excessively rich in saturated fats. Avoiding hard fats, exercising and avoiding excess weight can affect the quantity and quality of total cholesterol in the body. Opt for soft vegetal fats. Elevated cholesterol is also associated with factors beyond our control. These include age, gender, and genetic predisposition.
Recommended fat intake for an adult is 25–40% of the total energy intake, with an average of about 60 grammes per day. Therefore, there is no reason to completely avoid fats, but the quality of the fats affects the amount of cholesterol in the body. Hard fats should account for no more than one third of the recommended daily intake, compared to two thirds of soft fats.
LDL cholesterol is increased by hard fats in food and, correspondingly, reduced by unsaturated or soft fats. Hard fats include fatty meats, ultra-processed foods, biscuits and unhealthy snacks.
Opt for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts in your diet.
Remember to also exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day several times a week. Exercise lowers the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood and raises HDL cholesterol. In addition, exercise is an important part of weight management as abdominal obesity raises cholesterol.
Cholesterol drugs, for example statins, can effectively reduce cholesterol levels.
FAQ
Cholesterol medications, such as statins, reduce the liver’s production of cholesterol and increase its removal from the bloodstream, which lowers blood cholesterol level
To reduce triglycerides, healthy lifestyles are recommended, such as regular exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, a healthy diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fats, and medication as directed by a doctor if necessary.
The condition of the blood vessels is often examined with ultrasound, which provides information about the structure of the vessels and blood flow. Blood pressure measurement and blood tests that measure cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are also important.
An adult should consume less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day from the diet.
Cholesterol is too high when total cholesterol is over 5 mmol/l, LDL cholesterol over 3 mmol/l, or HDL cholesterol is below 1 mmol/l for men and below 1,2 mmol/l for women.
Cholesterol can be lowered by eating healthily, reducing the intake of saturated fats and cholesterol, increasing the amount of fiber-rich foods in the diet, and regular physical activity.
LDL cholesterol is considered too high when its concentration in the blood exceeds 3 mmol/L. High LDL levels increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, so managing them is important for health.
It is recommended that cholesterol be measured at least once every five years for healthy adults. Those in risk groups and those on cholesterol medication should have their cholesterol measured more frequently.
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases includes healthy lifestyle habits: a balanced diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption. It is also important to regularly monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.
Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through the liver, which converts it into bile. Bile aids in the digestion of fats and is expelled from the body with the feces.
Cholesterol levels can rise quickly, even within a few days, if the diet includes a lot of foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats.
Coronary artery disease is usually diagnosed with a cardiac stress test, ECG (electrocardiogram), and blood tests that measure cardiac markers. Sometimes imaging studies such as heart ultrasound or computed tomography are also used.
LDL cholesterol can be lowered by reducing the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet, increasing fiber, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Peripheral arterial disease in the lower extremities is typically diagnosed through a clinical examination conducted by a doctor and various diagnostic tests. The most common tests include the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which measures blood pressure in the ankle and arm, and Doppler ultrasound, which assesses blood flow in the arteries. More detailed imaging methods such as angiography may also be used if necessary to provide a detailed view of the condition of the vessels.
Total cholesterol is calculated by adding together the HDL, LDL, and 20 percent of the triglyceride value. This provides an overview of the blood cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol medication can be started when lifestyle changes are not sufficient to lower high cholesterol levels and the person has an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
HDL cholesterol can be increased by adding healthy fats to the diet, such as nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish, as well as regular aerobic exercise.
Cholesterol levels can start to drop within a few weeks of lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes and increased physical activity. With medication, changes can be seen even faster.
Vital laboratory package Sport Man includes 30 values that indicate what changes you can make in your lifestyle habits to improve your fitness and endurance.
190 kr
The LDL cholesterol level shows the amount of harmful cholesterol in the blood. Elevated cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
Vital laboratory package Basic includes 21 values that give you a wide range of information on how your body is doing. It includes blood count, cholesterol levels, blood glucose, ferritin and studies of the functioning of the thyroid gland, liver and kidneys.
Information Article
Cholesterol tells you about the health of your blood vessels
The total cholesterol measurement shows the total cholesterol value in the blood.
Information Article
ApoA1 is a marker for “good” cholesterol
Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is a carrier protein that helps transport HDL cholesterol (also known as good cholesterol) as well as other harmful fat molecules in the blood.
Information Article
HDL is a “good” cholesterol
Studies show that HDL cholesterol, or “good cholesterol”, is linked to better vascular health.
Information Article
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a risk marker for cardiovascular disease
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a carrier protein that helps transport LDL cholesterol (also known as “bad” cholesterol) as well as other harmful fat molecules in the blood.
Information Article
Triglycerides are sources of energy
Elevated triglyceride levels rarely need to be lowered with medication, as changing lifestyle habits is the primary treatment.
Information Article
Glucose indicates the blood sugar level
Glucose is one of the most common sugars. Blood glucose is also referred to as blood sugar. The blood sugar level can be analysed after fasting or without fasting. The blood sugar level is excessively high, for example, in the case of diabetes.
Article updated:
23 October 2024