HDL and LDL are two different kinds of cholesterol that are measured as an index of a patient's risk for cardiovascular disease. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. Total cholesterol measures the combination of HDL, LDL and VLDL. Unlike men, a high LDL ("bad cholesterol") level is not as strong a predictor of future trouble for women, although there is still considerable debate on this. Some experts believe LDL is not to be worried about for most women, except for particular sub-groups of women who are affected. As one might expect, until the situation is clarified, the importance of LDL for women is in question.

Elevated LDL cholesterol may turn out to be less of a risk factor than currently thought. There is an E-Book available called The Great Cholesterol Lie. In it, Dr. Dwight Lundell, MD, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon makes it clear what causes heart disease and points out that it is not cholesterol! Click Here! to read about this book.

Low HDL levels in men and women should be raised, while LDL levels, at least in men, may need to be lowered. Further, more detailed lab testing that breaks down LDL into subfractions, is advised for anyone with a high cardiovascular disease risk.