Non-HDL cholesterol is a term that has been used more and more in the world of health and wellness.

But what is non-HDL cholesterol and why does it matter?

In this comprehensive overview, we will discuss non-HDL cholesterol, how it is used to help predict the probability of cardiovascular disease, and how it differs from other forms of cholesterol.

Whereas other cholesterol measurements do not include this, non-HDL cholesterol includes all the "bad" cholesterol particles, such as LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and remnants of chylomicrons.

Since total cholesterol levels may not give a true picture regarding cardiovascular health, non-HDL cholesterol is a better indicator of the risk of heart disease and strokes.

In a Jama Network study, researchers weren’t sure if triglycerides may cause heart disease or if these other conditions may be responsible.

This article will look at the causes of raised non-HDL cholesterol levels including poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.

We will also look at the role of genetics, medications and lifestyle changes on non-HDL cholesterol levels.

If you understand the importance of non-HDL cholesterol and how to control it, then you can be taking steps to help protect your heart.

What is non-HDL cholesterol and how is it different from other cholesterol readings? What do I really need to know?

Non-HDL cholesterol is the term used to describe the total cholesterol level minus the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

In other words, it includes all the ‘bad’ cholesterol types of lipoprotein particles, namely very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), in addition to low density lipoprotein (LDL).

Research has shown that over time, VLDL can turn into LDL cholesterol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while HDL is in general considered the ‘good’ cholesterol because of its role in removing cholesterol from the arteries and sending it to the liver, non-HDL cholesterol is more concerned with the particles that may form plaques in the arteries.

Having high HDL naturally is good for your health. Some medications, including niacin, can raise your HDL.

But the National Library Medicine (nih.gov) study showed that taking niacin to increase HDL was not effective at preventing heart attacks.

The non-HDL cholesterol is important because it gives a more accurate estimate of the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Studies have shown that the heart disease and stroke are more likely to occur in people with high levels of non-HDL cholesterol than in those whose cholesterol levels are measured only by total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

Non-HDL cholesterol has all the forms of cholesterol that are harmful to heart and gives a total representation of an individual’s cardiovascular risk.

The measurement of non-HDL cholesterol is through a blood test, which is usually done as part of the annual health check.

This test is not only useful in the identification of the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases but it is also useful in recommending the most appropriate course of action.

Non-HDL cholesterol is an important term that anyone interested in the prevention of heart diseases and similar conditions should know about.

A lipid panel is a blood test that measures the different types of fat in the blood, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated from the lipid panel values as total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol.

This gives a direct measure of all the potentially harmful cholesterol particles and is therefore a useful measure of cardiovascular health.

Lipid panels are usually ordered as part of routine health screens, or for people with risks for heart disease, such as obesity, diabetes or family history of cardiovascular disease.

Although the entire lipid panel gives a complete picture of lipid profile, non-HDL cholesterol indicates the need to be cautious about the type of cholesterol that forms the bulk of the arterial plaque and cardiovascular risk.

This is therefore useful in enabling people to make sure they are taking the right measures to protect themselves from heart diseases.

From a blood sample, a lipid panel measures five different types of lipids:

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, extra triglycerides can pile up when you eat more calories than you burn off.

The lipid panel test is done with a blood sample which is from a vein in your arm through a needle.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine some results may be affected by being sick or under stress and by certain medicines.

What you eat, how often you exercise, and whether you smoke can also affect your lipid profile.

You may need to not eat or drink anything but water for 12 to 14 hours before this test.

In addition, be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.

This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illicit drugs you may use.

When having non-HDL cholesterol levels from lipid panel, it is important for patients to know the consequences of their results.

Although the entire lipid panel gives a general picture of lipid profile, non-HDL cholesterol has a special message about the specific components of cholesterol that go into the formation of plaques in the arteries and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The following are the types of information that are usually provided in a lipid panel test result:

Your healthcare provider may also order other tests to see how well your heart is working.

These tests may include:

Understanding cholesterol numbers requires understanding the different components of a lipid panel and what they mean for health.

Total cholesterol is all the cholesterol in the blood, but it does not give a good picture of cardiovascular risk.

The two main parts of cholesterol are HDL and non-HDL cholesterol.

Non-HDL cholesterol is in some ways a better measure than the other cholesterol readings, such as total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, as to cardiovascular health.

Heart disease risk is more and more often predicted by the non-HDL cholesterol value, lipid experts now acknowledge, making non-HDL a valuable measurement in its own right.

Therefore, tracking both non-HDL and HDL cholesterol is necessary to get a complete picture of an individual's cardiovascular health.

This dual approach enables tailored approaches that can lead to a great improvement in heart health.

The content above describes what Non-HDL-C is, explaining that it includes the cholesterol in all atherogenic lipoproteins, as defined by LDL above.

The following is how non-HDL-C can be easily calculated from a lipid profile:

The ideal level (in milligrams per deciliter of blood — mg/dL) for each of the cholesterol standard tests in a lipid panel are as follows:

Total cholesterol: Below 200 mg/dL.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Above 60 mg/dL.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Below 100 mg/dL (or below 70 mg/dL for people who have diabetes).

These numbers should be understood to make intelligent health decisions.

Having your cholesterol levels, especially your non-HDL cholesterol, checked every so often could help in identifying problems before they become severe.

People should aim to have the right balance of different cholesterol types, enhancing their HDL and reducing their non-HDL cholesterol through lifestyle modifications and treatment, if needed.

For adults, cholesterol measurement is suggested for over 20 and people with a likelihood of heart disease, based on factors like family history of cardiovascular disease, being obese or having diabetes.

This can help identify trends in cholesterol levels, which can help to inform lifestyle decisions related to diet and exercise, or may suggest the need for medical treatment.

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood in the United States. In Canada and many European countries, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

The CDC recommends an ideal LDL cholesterol of less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

An ideal triglyceride number is less than 150 mg/dL.

Don't be disheartened if your results show that your cholesterol level is high. There are lifestyle changes you can make to help lower your cholesterol — quitting smoking, exercising and eating a healthy diet.

If changes to your lifestyle aren't enough, cholesterol-lowering medications might also help.

Discuss with your doctor what you can do to lower your cholesterol.

Normal non-HDL cholesterol levels are usually deemed to be below 130 mg/dL.

This threshold serves as a benchmark for people with a low risk of cardiovascular disease.

For instance, if you have other risk factors, such as family history of heart disease, diabetes or obesity, healthcare providers may advise for even lower targets for non-HDL cholesterol levels, typically under 100 mg/dL.

Whereas, non-HDL cholesterol levels of 130 mg/dL or more are considered high and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Levels of 130–159 mg/dL are usually termed as borderline high, while levels of 160 mg/dL or more are considered high.

These recommendations, however, may vary based on an individual’s health status and other risk factors, thus the need for a personalized assessment.

Keep in mind that the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are both phasing out the concept of target LDL and non-HDL levels.

Non-HDL cholesterol level monitoring is especially important for people with many risk factors for heart disease.

With these ranges in mind, people can discuss with their healthcare providers how they can best make changes to their lifestyle and diet, and in some cases, medications to help lower their heart disease risk.

Having a high non-HDL cholesterol level means you have a high amount of potentially harmful cholesterol in your blood stream.

The higher your non-HDL cholesterol, the higher your risk of heart disease.

This raised risk is mainly because of the contribution of LDL cholesterol and other atherogenic particles that can contribute to the formation of plaques in the arteries, which can narrow the arteries and impede blood flow.

High non-HDL cholesterol can be caused by poor diet, lack of physical activity, being obese, or having other medical conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism, among other factors.

Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to higher cholesterol levels, independent of lifestyle.

For example, in 9 clinical trials involving people with coronary disease, data was looked at by researchers in 2016. They found that disease progression was more strongly associated with achieved non-HDL cholesterol than with LDL.

So, it is crucial to understand the cause of the elevated non-HDL cholesterol for the right approach to management.

To reduce the danger of high non-HDL cholesterol, people are urged to live the heart-healthy lifestyle.

This includes:

The following are some measures that can be employed to bring down the level of non-HDL cholesterol:

Lifestyle changes, dietary changes and medications.

Modifying one’s diet is one of the most convenient and efficient ways to decrease the levels of non-HDL cholesterol. Consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins and fewer saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol can make a big difference.

To reduce your overall cholesterol levels, the CDC recommends that you limit your intake of saturated fats. That means going light on fatty meat and full-fat dairy products.

Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids including fatty fish, flaxseeds and walnuts are also very useful in enhancing lipid profiles.

Besides dietary changes, physical activity is also important.

Performing aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, swimming or cycling for at least 150 minutes a week can help reduce the level of LDL cholesterol and increase that of HDL cholesterol.

Also important is the notion of being not overweight; tiny decreases in the body weight can lead to distinct improvements in cholesterol levels.

For some people, changes in lifestyle may not be enough to achieve the desired levels of cholesterol.

When that is the case, based on professional guidelines — for instance, those of the American Heart Association or a healthcare provider — may recommend taking medication, like statins, to help lower your non-HDL cholesterol.

It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to create a personal plan that considers risk factors and other health issues in order to effectively lower non-HDL cholesterol.

Non-HDL cholesterol is an important part of the heart health agenda, and individuals can make real differences in reversing the risk of cardiovascular disease by concentrating on this area.

They can always get assistance from their healthcare providers in identifying the best approaches for managing their cholesterol and making appointments for follow-up consultations.