LDL Cholesterol

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on July 17, 2024
Written by Matthew Hoffman, MD, Kristin Mitchell, Deanna Altomara
6 min read

LDL cholesterol is often called the “bad” cholesterol because it collects in the walls of your blood vessels, raising your chances of health problems like a heart attack or stroke.

But cholesterol isn't all dangerous. Your body needs it to protect the nerves and make healthy cells and hormones.

Some cholesterol comes from the food you eat, and your liver makes more. It won’t dissolve in blood, so proteins carry it where it needs to go. These carriers are called lipoproteins.

LDL is a type of lipoprotein. Its full name is "low-density lipoprotein."

Most of the cholesterol in your body is LDL. The rest is high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. HDL takes LDL to your liver, where it’s flushed out of your body. High HDL levels might protect against heart attacks and strokes.

Lower numbers are better when it comes to LDL cholesterol test results. The general guidelines for adults in the U.S. are:

  • Less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL): Optimal
  • 100-129 mg/dL: Near or above optimal
  • 130-159 mg/dL: Borderline high
  • 160-189 mg/dL: High
  • 190 mg/dL and above: Very high

If you have a condition like heart disease or diabetes, your doctor might recommend an LDL target of 70 mg/dL or below.

LDL cholesterol normal range

Everyone is different, so there is no such thing as a “normal” level of LDL cholesterol. But in general, you should aim to keep it below 100 mg/dL.

Many things affect your cholesterol levels. Some you can control, like your diet and physical activity. Other things, like your age and genetics, are just part of who you are.

Things that can raise your LDL include:

  • Genes. If someone in your family has high cholesterol, you’re more likely to get it too.
  • Age. Cholesterol tends to get higher over time. That’s because the body has a harder time clearing out cholesterol as you get older.
  • Sex. Women and people assigned female at birth might see their LDL levels go up after menopause.
  • Some health conditions. Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, and HIV can lead to high LDL.
  • Some medications. Certain drugs, especially those used to control blood pressure or HIV, can cause high LDL as a side effect.
  • Fatty foods. Red and processed meats, full-fat dairy, fast foods, fried foods, and some sweets are high in saturated and trans fats. These fats are known to increase LDL cholesterol.
  • Lack of exercise. Not getting enough physical activity can cause you to gain weight, which increases your risk for high cholesterol.
  • High body weight. Being overweight or having obesity can bring up your cholesterol levels.
  • Tobacco use. Cigarettes and other tobacco products (including vapes) lower the amount of HDL in your blood. HDL destroys LDL. This means that if you don’t have enough HDL, your LDL levels will rise.

LDL cholesterol foods

Your diet plays a big role in your cholesterol levels. Eating a lot of saturated and trans fat can raise your LDL. 

These fats are found in foods like:

  • Red and processed meats: steak, pork, ribs, hot dog, hamburgers, bacon
  • Full-fat dairy: whole milk, butter, cheese
  • Fried foods: chicken fingers, french fries
  • Sweets: cakes, doughnuts, ice cream

If you have high LDL, it’s worth talking with your doctor about following a healthy diet.

A blood test can check your LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels. It also measures triglycerides, a type of fat that stores extra energy from your diet. High triglyceride levels can make you more likely to have heart problems.

It’s important to talk with your doctor about your cholesterol levels. The recommendations on when to have your cholesterol checked depend on many things, including your health and risk factors, family history, and age. For most healthy adults, a cholesterol check is recommended every 4-6 years. 

Based on age, children should have their first cholesterol test between ages 9 and 11 (then every 5 years), younger adults should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years, and men ages 45-65 and women ages 55-65 every 1-2 years.

You’ll probably need it more often if you have heart disease or diabetes, or if high cholesterol runs in your family.

 

High LDL cholesterol levels can make you more likely to have problems including:

Guidelines used to focus on lowering "bad" cholesterol to a specific number. Now, you and your doctor will probably work together to come up with a way to lower it by a certain percentage. It's based on how likely it is that you’ll have heart disease or a stroke.

Doctors use a calculator to estimate your odds of those problems in the next 10 years. The calculator considers several things, including:

  • Your cholesterol level
  • Your age
  • Your blood pressure
  • Whether you smoke
  • Whether you take blood pressure medicine

All of these things affect your chance of having a heart problem. Other risks include:

  • Diabetes
  • A history of heart disease in your family

Your doctor will set up a plan of lifestyle changes and/or medication that can lower your cholesterol levels and your overall odds of a heart problem. Your plan might include:

  • A healthy diet. Try not to eat things that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, or simple carbs such as sugar and white flour. Eat more fiber and plant sterols such as margarine or nuts. High-fiber foods like beans and veggies can make it harder for your body to absorb LDL from food.
  • Regular exercise. The kind that gets your heart pumping is best.
  • Weight loss. Losing even 5 to 10 pounds can improve your cholesterol levels.
  • Quitting tobacco. If you have a hard time giving up smoking, your doctor can help you find the program that’s best for you.
  • Medication. Some drugs, like statins, help keep your body from making cholesterol. Another, ezetimibe (Zetia), lowers the amount of cholesterol your body gets from food you eat. If you can’t take statins or have a severe form of high cholesterol, you might get shots of PCSK9 inhibitors. These meds help your liver remove more LDL from your blood.

There are two main types of cholesterol in your body: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is commonly known as “bad” cholesterol. Having too much LDL can lead to heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to keep it as low as possible. You can try to lower your LDL levels by making certain changes, like avoiding fatty foods and exercising regularly. Talk to your doctor about how to manage your cholesterol.

What are the precautionary measures for LDL? Avoiding fatty foods and getting plenty of exercise can help you keep your LDL levels low.

What foods cause high LDL? Fatty foods like red and processed meats, full-fat dairy, fried foods, and sweets can raise your LDL.

Home remedies for high LDL? You can help lower your LDL by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. But in some cases, you might need medicine. Ask your doctor about ways to control your cholesterol.

Do I need a doctor’s visit if my LDL is high? It’s important to talk with your doctor about your cholesterol levels. The recommendations on when to have your cholesterol checked depend on many things, including your health and risk factors, family history, and age. For most healthy adults, a cholesterol check is recommended every 4-6 years. Based on age, children should have their first cholesterol test between ages 9 and 11 (then every 5 years), younger adults should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years, and men ages 45-65 and women ages 55-65 every 1-2 years.

What underlying conditions does high LDL indicate? Conditions like diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, and HIV can raise your LDL levels. Over time, high LDL can lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke.