Ask Mary

A high LDL level (low density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol) is a major risk factor for heart disease.  For “high risk” patients, including those who have had a heart attack, the recommendation is to reduce LDL to below 70 mg/dL.  That's the level where heart attack risk increases substantially.  A recent large national study of lipid levels in patients hospitalized for heart attacks found that 82% of the patients had an LDL above 70 mg/dL.  Lower LDL through diet and lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical interventions. Read about how to lower your LDL from the Guide to Cholesterol at About.com.