Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a lipoprotein in the blood that is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body. When LDL cholesterol levels are too high, it increases the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
1
High in LDL
How much is appropriate
The appropriate LDL level varies depending on the individual, including age, gender, whether there are other health problems, and risk factors for heart disease. In general, doctors set targets based on the following guidelines:
Patients at low risk of cardiovascular disease
LDL cholesterol levels should be reduced to less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Patients at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease
If you have diabetes or high-risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, or a family history, your doctor may want to reduce your LDL level to less than 70 mg/dL.
Patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease
For example, those who already have a heart attack or have had a stroke may need to lower their LDL levels, sometimes even below 55 mg/dL.
Regularly checking LDL levels and working with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan to ensure proper cholesterol levels are achieved is essential for maintaining heart health.
2
High in LDL
Category 5 needs to be reduced to less than 1.8
For certain populations, your doctor may recommend lowering your LDL cholesterol level to a very low level to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Here are five groups of people who may need to reduce their LDL cholesterol levels to less than 1.8 millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Patients with known cardiovascular disease
Patients who already have heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease need to reduce LDL levels as much as possible to reduce further vascular damage because their blood vessels have been compromised.
Diabetes mellitus with cardiovascular disease risk
Patients with diabetes who are also at risk of cardiovascular disease, as diabetes itself increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Family history of high-risk cardiovascular disease
People with a family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease (eg, first-degree relatives with onset at a younger age) may require stricter LDL control.
Multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors
People with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., may need special attention to control their LDL levels.
Patients who already have plaques of cardiovascular disease
People who have already had plaque formation in their blood vessels through angiography or other imaging tests need to have their LDL levels tightly controlled to prevent plaque progression and blockage of blood vessels.
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How LDL high is reduced
Improve your eating habits
Increase your intake of foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats, beans, apples, pears, carrots, and legumes.
Reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats and choose healthier fats, such as those found in olive oil, fish oil, and nuts.
Control dietary cholesterol intake and reduce intake of high-cholesterol foods.
Increase your intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as deep-sea fish.
Exercise regularly
Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
Strength training is also important, done at least twice a week, to increase muscle mass and help boost metabolism.
Quit smoking
Smoking damages the walls of blood vessels and increases the accumulation of LDL cholesterol.
Quitting smoking can raise HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels and help lower LDL cholesterol.
Control your weight
Even a small amount of body weight (e.g., 5-10 kg) can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
Achieve weight loss by improving your diet and increasing your physical activity.
drug therapy
For high-risk patients, doctors may prescribe statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, or other lipid-lowering medications.
Medication should be decided based on the doctor's advice and the individual's health condition.
Manage other health issues
Control high blood pressure and high blood sugar, as these conditions can also affect cardiovascular health and LDL cholesterol levels.