Cholesterol/Triglycerides Primer

Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) - known as the "bad" cholesterol. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol, the greater the risk for atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Excess LDL circulates in the bloodstream and can become lodged in artery walls. Some experts theorize major harm is done when free radicals oxidize that LDL. This encourages inflammatory damage to artery walls and fuels atherosclerosis, the process by which an accumulation of fatty plaques eventually narrow an artery.

High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) - the so-called "good" cholesterol. HDL helps prevent some of this damage by carting unused LDL cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it can be broken down and eliminated from the body.

Triglycerides - these are the major storage form of fat. High triglyceride levels are linked with a higher risk for heart disease. New guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program emphasized the importance of triglycerides by lowering the cutoff of "normal" levels from less than 200 mg/dL to less than 150 mg/dL.