There are several different types of cholesterol levels that patients should know about.
Some types are worse or better than others.
This cholesterol is believed to be the culprit that migrates into arterial walls and causes atherosclerosis. An elevated LDL cholesterol level is treated to prevent atherosclerosis in those who haven't yet developed the disease and to decrease its progression in those who have. HDL may help protect against the disease by removing deposited cholesterol from the arterial wall as it circulates in the bloodstream, thereby preventing the development of plaque. Common causes of low HDL include genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, smoking, and obesity. However, when many people talk of hypercholesterolemia, they sometimes include high triglyceride levels.