LDL is often called the “bad” cholesterol because a high level makes it more likely that cholesterol builds up in your arteries. Here is how to read your LDL number and what it can point to, in plain language.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs to build cells. It travels through your blood attached to proteins, and one of these packages is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. When there is too much LDL in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your blood vessels, which raises the risk of heart disease and stroke over time.
LDL is reported in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) as part of a lipid panel. Lower is generally better. The ranges above are a common starting point, but the target that is right for you depends on your other risk factors, such as blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and family history. Your clinician looks at the whole picture rather than a single cut-off.
A higher LDL result on its own does not mean you have a disease that needs treatment today. It is a risk signal. Diet, physical activity, weight, genetics, and certain medical conditions all influence it. If your LDL is high, your clinician may repeat the test, look at the rest of your lipid panel, and talk with you about lifestyle steps or medication depending on your overall risk.
Upload a photo or PDF of your lipid panel and Mednex reads each marker back to you in plain language, then tracks it so your next result compares against this one.
Decode my labsContent last reviewed 9 July 2026. Reference ranges vary by laboratory; always read your results against the range printed on your own report.
This page explains a common lab marker in general terms using public information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and other NIH sources. It is educational and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. Reference ranges differ between laboratories and the meaning of a result depends on your age, sex, medications, and overall health. Always discuss your own results with the clinician who ordered them.