In essence, it is a measure of the not-so-good cholesterol levels in your body.
The higher your non-HDL levels, the greater your risk of cardiovascular disease.
What Is Non-HDL Cholesterol?
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Rather, it is calculated from the other measurements.
Further, several formulas have been proposed for calculating the LDL level, and different laboratories use different formulas.
This means that LDL values will vary to at least some extent in different labs.
Because LDL mainly performs the job of carrying cholesterol to cells, high levels may cause plaque formation.
This can cause arteries to narrow and harden.
Plaque rupture may result in a heart attack or stroke.
Intermediate-Density Lipoprotein (IDL)
IDLs are produced when fatty acids are released by VLDLs.
Your liver either removes them or they are converted into LDL.
But for most people, an unhealthy lifestyle is the culprit.
This means you might have nothing but water for nine to 12 hours before the test.
Once your lipid levels are determined, non-HDL cholesterol can be calculated by subtracting HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol.
Simply subtracting the HDL cholesterol from this value yields non-HDL cholesterol.
Optimal non-HDL levels are below 130 mg/dL for both adult men and women.
Optimal HDL levels are 40 mg/dL for adult men and 50 mg/dL for adult women.
Levels below this increase your risk of heart disease.
Optimum triglyceride levels are below 150 mg/dL.
Medical professionals advise lowering LDL and non-HDL cholesterol at the same time to limit your risk of heart disease.
You may need to aim for lower levels.
The level of statin used depends on the severity of your cholesterolemia.
Summary
Non-HDL cholesterol is a measure of the not-so-good cholesterol levels in your body.
The higher your non-HDL levels, the greater your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lifestyle changes and medication can be used to lower non-HDL levels.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Lipid Panel With Non-HDL Cholesterol.
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2018;14(1):1-21. doi:10.5114/aoms.2018.72238
American Heart Association.Causes of High Cholesterol.
MedlinePlus.Cholesterol Levels: What you better Know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart disease risk factors.
