'Good' and 'Bad' cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in the body. Most of it is made in our bodies by the liver, but some also comes from the saturated fat in the food you eat.

Cholesterol makes up a vital part of the cells in your body, but too much can be bad for you.

It is important to note that there are two types of cholesterol.

• 'BAD' cholesterol (known as low density lipoprotein: LDL)
• 'GOOD' cholesterol (known as high density lipoprotein: HDL)

'BAD' LDL-cholesterol can block up our arteries, whereas 'GOOD' HDL-cholesterol carries excess cholesterol away from our arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and recycled.

So, in terms of the potential damaging effects of cholesterol, what is important is the proportion of these two types of cholesterol in our blood. People with existing heart disease - like those who have already had a heart attack - are at particular risk from raised cholesterol, so need to keep a careful check on their cholesterol number.

Download the free ChoLESSterol booklet for further information.