Cholesterol Terms and definitions

There are several terms associated with cholesterol, cholesterol measurement, and diseases linked to cholesterol. Here you will find the definitions of these terms.

Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
A disease of the coronary arteries in which cholesterol is deposited in plaques on the arterial walls. The plaque narrows or blocks blood flow to the heart. Atherosclerosis is also called coronary artery disease, or CAD.

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
A type of lipoprotein that consists of about 50% protein and 19% cholesterol. It protects against CAD by removing cholesterol deposits from arteries or preventing their formation. It is also known as good cholesterol.

Hypercholesterolemia
The presence of excessively high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Lipid
Any organic compound that is greasy, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol. Fats, waxes, and oils are examples of lipids.

Lipoprotein
A complex molecule that consists of a protein membrane surrounding a core of lipids. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol and other lipids from the digestive tract to the liver and other body tissues. There are five major types of lipoproteins.

Low Density lipoprotein (LDL)
A type of lipoprotein that consists of about 50% cholesterol and is associated with an increased risk of CAD. It is also known as bad cholesterol. LDL molecules carry cholesterol from the liver to other body tissues.

Plaque
An abnormal deposit of hardened cholesterol on the wall of an artery.

Triglyceride
A chemical compound that forms about 95% of the fats and oils stored in animal and vegetable cells. Triglyceride levels are sometimes measured as well as cholesterol when a patient is screened for heart disease.

Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL).
These lipoproteins carry mostly triglycerides, but they also contain 16-22% cholesterol. VLDLs are made in the liver and eventually become IDL particles after they have lost their triglyceride content.