LDL (Bad) Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol, because elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Lipoprotein deposits cholesterol on the artery walls forming a hard layer called the plaque which obstructs the flow of blow of blood to the heart. This cholesterol plaque causes thickening of the artery walls and narrowing of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.

The liver not only manufactures and secretes LDL cholesterol into the blood; it also Apart from removing LDL cholesterol from the blood the liver also produces and secretes LDL cholesterol into the blood. A high number of active LDL receptors on the liver surfaces is associated with the rapid removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood and low blood LDL cholesterol levels. High LDL cholesterol blood levels are often associated with the deficiency of these LDL receptors.

Lowering LDL cholesterol is the primary focus in preventing atherosclerosis and heart attacks. The benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol include:

• Reducing or stopping the formation of new cholesterol plaques on the artery walls;
• Removing or reduction of existing cholesterol plaques on the artery walls;
• Opening up of the narrowed arteries;
• Avoid rupturing the cholesterol plaques, which facilitate formation of blood clots.
• Decreasing the risk of heart attacks; and
• Decreasing the risk of strokes;

Read Next: Lowering LDL (Bad) Cholesterol

Also Read:

• Triglycerides (VLDL Cholesterol)