Skip to content
Back to glossary
Biomarkers

LDL cholesterol

DELDL-Cholesterin

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the cholesterol carrier that drives heart disease. When you have too many ApoB-carrying LDL particles, they slip into your artery wall (the intima). There they get trapped. Oxidation and inflammation then build atherosclerotic plaque. LDL is a long-established, causal cause of artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. People born with genetically low LDL (as with PCSK9 gene variants) get far less of it. And the lower someone's lifelong LDL, the lower their risk. For longevity, the rule is simple: lower is better. Read LDL alongside ApoB and Lp(a), since the two can disagree. Key reference documents include the 2025 ESC/EAS Focused Update and the 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guidelines.

Last reviewed:

This definition is educational and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to a doctor about any health decisions. Read our full medical disclaimer

Sources

  1. Ridker PM. (2014). LDL cholesterol: controversies and future therapeutic directions. Lancetdoi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61009-6
  2. Colhoun HM, Betteridge DJ, Durrington PN, Hitman GA, Neil HA, Livingstone SJ, et al. (2004). Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with atorvastatin in type 2 diabetes in the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS): multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancetdoi:10.1016/s0140-6736(04)16895-5
  3. Mach F, Baigent C, Catapano AL, Koskinas KC, Casula M, Badimon L, et al. (2020). 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. European Heart Journaldoi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz455
  4. European Society of Cardiology / European Atherosclerosis Society. (2025). 2025 ESC/EAS Focused Update on Dyslipidaemia Management. European Heart Journal
  5. American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association. (2026). 2026 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia. Circulation

Used in