The level of high-density lipoprotein, also known as “good” cholesterol, as opposed to “bad” cholesterol, not only increases cardiovascular risk, but also helps reduce atherosclerosis. Cardiologist Vadim Zakiev, teacher of the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Russian State University of Social Sciences, told socialbites.ca.
There are different types of cholesterol: low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins, LDL and HDL, respectively. Cardiologists are primarily interested in LDL because its high level is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and its consequences, myocardial infarction and stroke. Zakiev explained that this is why LDL is popularly called “bad” cholesterol.
The other type of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), by contrast, is called “good” because higher levels are associated with a lower risk of severe atherosclerosis. But increasing the concentration of “good” cholesterol with medications has not proven beneficial. You can increase LDL with the help of a diet, especially the Mediterranean diet. At the same time, drugs that lower the level of “bad” LDL cholesterol also reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke, Zakiev said.
There are other bad types of cholesterol: triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and lipoprotein a (LPa). They belong to the “non-HDL” group, which, along with LDL, includes all dangerous types of cholesterol that contribute to atherosclerosis.
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