Cholesterol and heart health
LDL cholesterol blood test: what a high or low result means
What LDL ('bad') cholesterol means on your results, why it matters, and what to ask your doctor.
Got your LDL cholesterol result in front of you?
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Explain my results → Available on web, iOS & Android.What is LDL cholesterol?
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It carries cholesterol to the cells in your body, but when there is too much, it can build up in the walls of your arteries and narrow them. That is why LDL is often called 'bad' cholesterol. It is part of a lipid profile (lipid panel in the US). In many labs it is calculated from your other cholesterol results rather than measured directly.
Why is this test done?
- To assess your risk of heart disease and stroke
- To decide whether cholesterol-lowering treatment would help
- To check how well statins or other treatments are working
- To look for inherited high cholesterol
What does a high LDL cholesterol mean?
A high LDL raises your risk of heart attack and stroke over time. Lowering it, through lifestyle changes and sometimes medicines, reduces that risk.
Possible reasons include:
- Diet high in saturated fat
- Inherited high cholesterol, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Being overweight or inactive
- An underactive thyroid
- Some kidney and liver conditions
- Some medicines
What does a low LDL cholesterol mean?
A low LDL is generally good for your heart and is often the aim of treatment.
Possible reasons include:
- Statins or other cholesterol-lowering medicines
- Diet and lifestyle
- Rarely, inherited conditions or an overactive thyroid
Why we don't list a "normal range". Reference ranges differ between laboratories and can depend on your age, sex and whether you are pregnant. The range printed next to your result on your own report is the one that applies to you, so use that, and talk to your doctor about what your result means for you.
What can affect your LDL cholesterol result?
- Very high triglycerides, which can make a calculated LDL inaccurate
- Recent illness or a heart attack
- Pregnancy
- Medicines
Make sense of the whole report, not just one line
Results are easier to understand together. Patiently AI explains your report as a whole and writes personalised questions for your next appointment.
Try it with your own results → Paste, upload or photograph your results.Questions to ask your doctor
- Is my LDL high for someone with my level of risk?
- What target should I aim for?
- Should I consider a statin or another medicine?
- Could I have inherited high cholesterol?
Frequently asked questions
Why is LDL called 'bad' cholesterol?
Because when there is too much, LDL can build up in artery walls, forming fatty plaques that narrow the arteries and can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Can diet lower LDL?
Yes. Cutting saturated fat, eating more fibre such as oats and beans, being active and losing weight if needed can all lower LDL. If LDL is very high or inherited, medicines are often needed as well.
What is familial hypercholesterolaemia?
It is an inherited condition that causes very high LDL from birth. It runs in families, so if you have it, your relatives may be offered testing.
Can Patiently AI explain my LDL cholesterol result?
Yes. Paste your results, or upload a photo, PDF or Word file, and Patiently AI explains them in plain English, sticking to the numbers and ranges on your own report rather than adding its own, and suggests questions to ask your doctor. It is free, needs no account, and removes identifying details on your device first.