Why do people talk about LDL and HDL if both are called cholesterol? Cholesterol is the cargo. LDL and HDL are different tiny carrier particles that move cholesterol through your blood.
Cholesterol needs a lift
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs for good health in suitable amounts. It cannot travel around the blood on its own, so it is carried by particles called lipoproteins. LDL and HDL are two types of these carriers.
Think of cholesterol as a parcel and LDL and HDL as different delivery services. They may carry the same type of parcel, but they take it on different routes. This is a simplified comparison: LDL and HDL are complex particles, not people or vehicles.
Two carriers, different routes
LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol. When LDL levels are high, it can contribute to fatty plaque building up in artery walls.
HDL is often called “good” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be removed from the body.
So, the words LDL and HDL help describe where cholesterol is travelling. They do not describe every part of a person’s heart-health risk.
Same cargo, different routes
- LDL: carries cholesterol towards artery walls.
- HDL: carries cholesterol back towards the liver.
For more information, see the NHLBI’s Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol?.
Takeaway: LDL and HDL are not two separate kinds of cholesterol. They are different carriers that help explain where cholesterol is travelling in the body.
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This article is for general education and does not replace personalised advice from a qualified healthcare professional.