Why do doctors monitor the concentration of LDL and HDL in patients' blood?
Doctors monitor the concentration of LDL and HDL in patient's blood to determine a patient's risk for heart disease and evaluate their current health status. Too much LDL in one's bloodstream can lead to cholesterol plaques in the arteries. They block the arteries, narrow the vessels, and make it harder for blood to flow, causing a condition of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Both essentially make the artery narrow. Lack of blood flow to the heart can cause heart attacks and strokes. The function of HDL is to carry cholesterol away from the cells and toward the liver. It counteracts the actions of LDL so it's very important to be aware of it's amounts. The levels need to be high enough to ensure good cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), HDL levels should be at least 40 mg/dL, and optimally higher than 60 mg/dL, while LDL levels should be lower than 129 mg/dL for the majority of people, and even lower for those at risk for heart disease (Hendrickson, 2010).Keep Reading -> How are LDL and HDL related to heart disease and other illnesses