08/05/2026
HDL and LDL are both lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the blood, but they influence cardiovascular risk in different ways. LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol because high LDL levels promote cholesterol buildup in artery walls, forming plaque that can narrow arteries and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. HDL is called “good” cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be processed and removed from the body. 🫀
This image explains the core idea well: lower LDL is a major goal in prevention, while healthy HDL levels are generally favorable. The useful nuance is that HDL is protective, but it does not simply “cancel out” LDL, and cardiovascular risk is judged by the full lipid picture, overall health, and risk factors. In simple terms, less LDL means less plaque-driving cholesterol in the arteries, while HDL supports cholesterol transport back to the liver. ✅
