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The Good, the Bad and the Difference
The Facts About Cholesterol
By Carma Haley
"You won't notice the symptoms of high cholesterol until it's done damage: a heart attack, angina – chest pain – or a stroke," says Holly Vance, the lead pharmacist and patient education specialist at Drugstore.com. "Fortunately, your doctor or health professional can measure blood cholesterol level with a simple blood test. That way, you'll know whether you need to take steps to lower your risk for heart disease."
HDL is known as the "good" cholesterol. As HDL collects excess cholesterol in the blood, including LDL cholesterol and any deposits that may be in the arteries, it transports it to the liver to be metabolized and removed from the blood stream. A high level of HDL in the blood, the lower the risk of medial complications or high cholesterol levels. However, after the HDL have completed their purpose and removed all the excess cholesterol they can, the amount of LDL left in the blood stream and cells determine the cholesterol level and risk for medical complications.
"I am a single mother and I feel that it's my responsibility to safeguard my health so that I am able to take care of my children," says Michelle Smith from Chico, Calif. "Regular checkups for me include blood tests, cholesterol screening and ensuring that I am doing all I can do to prevent any medical problems that would minimize what I can do with and for my kids. No one can do it for me – but me."
