What is
Cholesterol?
Salma Gitesatani, Sofia Sanchez, Alexa Riley
What are LDL and HDL
● LDL is a lipid that is necessary for supporting
the membranes of the cells in our bodies.
● HDL is a lipoprotein that scours the
bloodstream in search for stray LDL cholesterol
and transports them back to the liver where they
can be reused
How Do LDL and HDL Differ Structurally and Functionally?
● 50 percent of the weight of an LDL particle is
cholesterol and only 25 percent is protein.
● High-density lipoprotein particles, on the other
hand, consist of 20 percent cholesterol by
weight and 50 percent protein
● HDL particles are more dense than LDL
particles
● Another structural difference between LDL
and HDL are their proteins. LDL carries B-100
proteins whereas HDL carries A-I and A-II
proteins
Why do Doctors Monitor Levels of LDL and HDL in Patients?
● To ensure levels of cholesterol are in
healthy ranges to avoid heart
complications
● Check LDL to see if too much of it is
blocking arteries
● Check HDL to see if there is enough to
ensure good cardiovascular health
How are Levels of ● High levels of LDL can cause
atherosclerosis, a buildup of
LDL and HDL cholesterol in the arteries
Associated with ● This can cause a weak flow of
Heart Disease and
blood to the heart
● If a part of the heart is
Associated completely cut off one will
Problems? ●
experience a heart attack
If not enough blood or oxygen
can reach the heart, the
individual may suffer chest pain
What Other Molecules are Monitored in a Patient’s Blood?
Triglycerides: a type of fat found in
cholesterol and can have the same effects
of LDL to cardiovascular health
What do Cholesterol Test Results Indicate?
● Measures of the whole count of the blood
cholesterol level
● The LDL cholesterol level
● The HDL cholesterol level
● The triglyceride level
● Results of the cholesterol test tells a
patient of the risk for heart disease.
● Maintain a diet low in sodium and
fats What can patients do to
● Add fruits and vegetables in diet change levels of LDL and
● Reduce amounts of saturated fats and HDL in their Blood?
sodium
● Physical Activity and Exercise
How does intake of unsaturated, saturated,
and trans fats affect cholesterol levels and
overall health?
● Raises your LDL
● Eating a diet containing many saturated and/or
trans fat will also raise total cholesterol and LDL
cholesterol.
● Trans fat causes a rise in heart attacks because
they stick to the blood vessels hindering healthy
blood flow.
● The main cause of high-blood cholesterol levels,
● Can also raise cholesterol levels
Citations
American Heart Association. (2012, December 10). What your cholesterol levels mean. Retrieved from
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/What-Your-Cholesterol-Levels-Mean
_UCM_305562_Article.jsp
Everydayhealth (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.everydayhealth.com/cholesterol/experts-how-does-diet-affect-cholesterol-levels.aspx
Gavin, M. L. (2013, July). What is cholesterol? Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/cholesterol.html
Hendrickson, K. (2010, June 9). Why do doctors monitor the concentration of LDL & HDL? Retrieved from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/144497-why-do-doctors-monitor-the-concentration-of-ldl-hdl/
Citations Cont.
Kamps, A. (n.d.). How Do LDL and HDL Differ Structurally and Functionally? Retrieved from
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/ldl-hdl-differ-structurally-functionally-2003.html
MedHelp (n.d.). What other molecules in a patient's blood are monitored along with LDL and HDL? Retrieved from
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/Biomedical-Science/show/1432491
WebMD (n.d.). Heart Disease and Lowering Cholesterol. Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-lower-cholesterol-risk
