What does it mean when low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is elevated?
Disease description:
When having a blood test for a complete blood count, the doctor told me that my low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level was high. I would like to know what it means to have an elevated low-density lipoprotein level.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
The term "elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)" means the level of LDL in the blood exceeds the normal range, which typically indicates increased blood lipid levels.
LDL is a cholesterol-rich lipoprotein whose primary function in the body is to transport cholesterol into peripheral tissue cells. When LDL levels are too high, it can deposit beneath the vascular endothelium and gradually form atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques can narrow blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction.
Elevated LDL levels may be caused by various factors, including unhealthy dietary habits (e.g., high-fat, high-sugar diets), lack of physical activity, obesity, excessive mental stress, and genetic factors. Additionally, certain diseases such as diabetes and hypertension can also lead to increased LDL levels.
