ldl
When you get your cholesterol tested, they are measuring not only the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, but also whether it is being transported by LDL or HDL. All of these values are important for assessing the likelihood of a heart attack. Total cholesterol gives an idea of the overall cholesterol load in the body. The LDL cholesterol sometimes referred to as bad cholesterol is more likely to be incorporated into a cell or a plaque, so it is important that these levels below. Conversely, since cholesterol being carried by HDL good cholesterol is being transported away from the rest of the body and into the liver for disposal, higher HDL levels are generally considered beneficial.