Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. At high levels, LDLs can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. It helps form hard, thick plaque deposits--build-ups that can sometimes bulge out into the bloodstream, but that often cause no trouble for years or decades. The danger: Plaque can rupture suddenly, releasing chemicals into the blood that cause clots.

Physicians used to be concerned about the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. Now they want to know the amounts of the two main forms of cholesterol, HDL and LDL. An elevated level of HDL, the "good" cholesterol is praised. On the other hand, LDL cholesterol is called "bad" because higher levels indicate an increased risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is necessary to life. Without it we wouldn't be able to digest fat since it is a key ingredient in bile.

There may be several reasons for an LDL cholesterol result of N/A. The LDL cholesterol is calculated as follows: LDL=(TC-HDL-TRG/5). If the triglyceride result is >400 mg/dL (>4.51 mmol/L), the calculated LDL cholesterol will not be accurate and the LDL result will be reported as N/A. If the TC, HDL or TRG results are outside the measuring range of the instrument, the LDL will also not be calculated and will be reported as N/A.

CardioChek Lipid Panel Test Strips will automatically calculate LDL values (require CardioChek PA analyzer). If using individual test chemistries with either CardioChek PA or CardioChek analyzers, first test Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides using new, unused test strips.

Lowering your LDL cholesterol level will help keep plaque from building up in your arteries. This makes it easier for your heart to get the blood and nutrients it needs. If you already have coronary artery disease, your doctor will probably want you to lower your LDL level by at least 30 to 35% through diet, exercise and, possibly, medicines. Another way to help is to increase your HDL level.

reduce the potential risk of cholesterol even if the cholesterol level remains the same. It seems it is exercise's ability to change the size and density of cholesterol- carrying protein that results in less prescription medications to reduce LDL cholesterol. Always consult your physician to help you develop

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is an important component of all the cells in your body. Unfortunately, elevated levels of blood cholesterol can be a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. This "extra" cholesterol is synthesized in the liver and it is also part of the diet.

Often called "bad cholesterol," LDL is the main source of cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries.

The NCEP ATP III recommends that LDL be directly measured as a new feature of the guidelines. LDL is not directly measured in today's routine lipid panels. Rather, it is calculated using the Friedewald equation: [LDL] = [total cholesterol] ? [HDL] ? [triglycerides/5]. Thus, calculated LDL is falsely low in patients with elevated triglycerides, and it does not correlate well in patients with diabetes, coronary disease, or other atherosclerotic diseases.

szlig;-Quantification (ultracentrifugation), non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are being used to determine LDL particle subfractions.

According to the American Heart Association cholesterol levels should be measured every 1-5 years in healthy adults. For people with elevated cholesterol levels every 6 months and for people on drug therapy every six weeks until stable and then at least every 6 months. With poor dietary habits, your cholesterol can increase in as little as 2 weeks.

Cholesterol is a type of fat called a lipid. The body uses it for many things, such as making new cells. Your liver makes the cholesterol that your body needs. You also get cholesterol from the foods you eat. Your body needs some cholesterol. But if you have too much, it starts to build up in your arteries. (Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.) This is called hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis.

The health risk is much clearer when you understand that low density lipoproteins (LDL) carry about 70% of the blood's cholesterol.

LDL subfractions provide a more in-depth assessment of CAD risk while the commonly performed total LDL cholesterol test gives limited information.