bad cholesterol
noun
: a lipoprotein of blood plasma that is associated with increased probability of developing atherosclerosis : ldl
The two-year study of 507 patients is the most ambitious yet to test whether driving down bad cholesterol turns back the clock on plaque buildup in coronary arteries.—
Steve Sternberg
Steve SternbergA growing body of research suggests that atherosclerosis probably traces to oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol.—Janet Raloff
compare good cholesterol
Janet RaloffExamples of bad cholesterol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Key Takeaways Eating oatmeal for two days can cut bad cholesterol by about 10%.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026
As long-term data accumulate on the power of lowering bad cholesterol, new methods to determine who might benefit point toward starting people on the medications even earlier than now recommended to avoid later risk of heart attacks and strokes.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
These elements are credited with lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol, fighting inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity.
—Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
This is because risk is determined more so by the number of particles that the bad cholesterol is packaged into, as opposed to the total mass of bad cholesterol that’s floating around.
—Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
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Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026
As long-term data accumulate on the power of lowering bad cholesterol, new methods to determine who might benefit point toward starting people on the medications even earlier than now recommended to avoid later risk of heart attacks and strokes.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
These elements are credited with lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol, fighting inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity.
—Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
This is because risk is determined more so by the number of particles that the bad cholesterol is packaged into, as opposed to the total mass of bad cholesterol that’s floating around.
—Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bad cholesterol
Cite this Entry
“Bad cholesterol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad%20cholesterol. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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