Total Cholesterol Score
Dr. Tarak Rambhatla, Cardiovascular Specialist with Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, says the total cholesterol score is a combination of HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), and 20% triglycerides.
He explains LDL is directly responsible for heart disease, it contains proteins in the outside which tend to be sticky and have a predisposition for sneaking in between the blood vessel cells and leading to plaque buildup.
About HDL, he points out it picks up cholesterol from the blood vessels and takes it back to the liver to be discarded. "HDL is good and to have a high HDL can decrease risks for cardiovascular disease."