We always hear that there are two types of cholesterol – the good and the bad. LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the bad one. You might ask what makes it bad? LDL cholesterol is a kind of lipoprotein that also acts as a cholesterol carrier in the blood. LDL cholesterol has the tendency to build up on the walls of the blood vessels, suppressing flow of blood over time. Eventually, hardening of the arteries will result in a heart attack or stroke. This is what makes it a bad cholesterol. 

So how do you detect the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood? There is a test that is used to let you identity your LDL cholesterol level by knowing your LDL numbers. The test is done using a blood sample, usually collected from a vein in the arm. This is a process which called venipuncture. LDL and other lipid profile measurements done at home using home cholesterol test kits require only about a drop or two of blood sample taken from the fingertip. 

The result, regardless of where the test was done, is used to recognize your risk of having heart disease. While these tests give you the numbers of other kinds of cholesterol in the blood, the LDL cholesterol level is mostly used by health practitioners as the basis for treatment plans. 

An LDL cholesterol level can be found out by undergoing a lipoprotein profile. It is basically a cholesterol test that will give results not only regarding your LDL cholesterol level, but also the total blood cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol level, and triglyceride level. The profile is highly recommended to individuals above 20 years old, or those who have been previously screened and found to have a high cholesterol level. 

You should keep in mind that a high LDL cholesterol level would mean a high risk factor for heart disease. For people with heart disease or diabetes, LDL should be less than 100 mg/dL; for persons with 2 or more other risk factors, LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL; and for individuals with 0 or 1 other risk factor, LDL should be less than 160 mg/dL. 

A high LDL cholesterol level is also dangerous for those who have hypertension and a family history of heart disease. Smoking also makes a person prone to developing heart disease as well. Males who are 45 years of age or older, and females beyond 54 years old are also more prone to developing heart problems. 

Aside from knowing your LDL cholesterol level, it is equally important to have a cholesterol management program. It will let you keep updated on your cholesterol numbers, thus avoiding any complications brought about by this bad cholesterol.