Is ‘bad’ cholesterol actually good? Cardiologists set the record straight

This version of Ldl Cholesterol Bad Statins Heart Disease Misinformation Cardiologists Rcna598168 - Health and Medicine | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.

Online misinformation about cholesterol-lowering medications and the role LDL, or low-density lipoproteins, play in heart disease is growing.

Oct. 5, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT

By Shiv Sudhakar, M.D.

Heart doctors insist there’s no debate: High levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the blood can lead to serious heart attack, stroke or death.

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Is ‘bad’ cholesterol actually good? Cardiologists set the record straight

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis voting bloc holds the key to the midterms

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