What Is LDL Cholesterol and How Do You Lower It?

Chances are, your cholesterol isn’t something you think too much about. When it comes to your health, your thoughts may already be preoccupied with figuring out more ways to get protein, how to get more sleep, and whether you should do cardio before or after lifting weights.

Not to mention, according to a 2023 study published in JAMA Cardiology, more than 40% of U.S. adults with high LDL cholesterol didn’t know they had it. This means that there are a whole lot of people out there who are at an increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or getting heart disease, and they don’t even know it.

The good news is that your cholesterol levels are something you can control. We asked cardiologists about how to do exactly that.

What is LDL cholesterol?

Cholesterol is typically referenced generally and almost always negatively, but it’s actually a bit more nuanced. Dr. Ethan Korngold, MD, an interventional cardiologist who works with the health company Abbott, explains that cholesterol, which is a waxy fat-like substance found in the body, is essential to build cells and produce vitamins and hormones. “However, too much cholesterol can cause problems because it narrows the arteries, blocking blood flow, which increases the risk of heart disease,” he says.

Cholesterol is transported through the blood by lipoproteins, including two types of lipoproteins: high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). HDL (often referred to as “good” cholesterol) transports cholesterol to the liver, where it’s then broken down and excreted. LDL transports cholesterol to cells, and as Dr. Korngold explained, too much of it can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. That’s why LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol.

How do you know if you have high LDL cholesterol?

Even if you’re relatively young and generally in good health, preventing high LDL cholesterol is still important. Dr. Jason Hoff, MD, a structural interventional cardiologist and assistant professor at Loma Linda University Health, says that cholesterol plaque buildup is something that can happen over time without you even realizing it.

“It’s not something you can feel. It can eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke, and the process often starts decades before symptoms appear, even as early as your 20s and 30s,” he says.

Walk with a Doc CEO and cardiologist Dr. David Sabgir, MD, says being proactive about your heart health is key to staying healthy. “Even if you feel great, cholesterol can climb quietly, especially if you have a family history of heart disease,” says Dr. Sabgir. “High LDL cholesterol builds up over time and raises the risk for heart attack and stroke. The fix is simple. If we know our numbers and stay ahead of them, we can make a huge difference in our health.”