What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present
in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body. The body uses
cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that
help to digest fat. Too much cholesterol in your bloodstream can lead to
narrowing of arteries in the body that cause
heart attacks,
strokes, and
peripheral artery disease.
How Are Cholesterol Levels Checked?
Cholesterol levels are checked by a
simple blood test.
This test measures total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, and
triglycerides. Your health care
practitioner will be able to help you interpret the blood test results to determine if your
cholesterol levels are normal or require treatment.
Cholesterol Charts (What the Numbers Mean)
Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in your blood.
Your risk for heart attack and stroke increases with higher cholesterol
levels. Other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and family history of heart disease or stroke.
| Total cholesterol |
| Less than 200 mg/dL: desirable
|
| 200-239 mg/dL: borderline high risk
|
| 240 and over: high risk
|
HDL (high density lipoprotein) is considered the "good" cholesterol
because it may help decrease the cholesterol buildup in the walls of
arteries that causes narrowing of their openings.
| HDL (high density lipoprotein) |
| Less than 40 mg/dL (men), less than 50 mg/dL (women): increased risk of heart disease
|
| Greater than 60mg/dL: some protection against heart disease
|
LDL (low density lipoprotein) is considered "bad" cholesterol. The
risk of heart disease goes up if you have a high level of LDL
cholesterol in your blood because of increased potential for narrowing
of blood vessels.
| LDL (low density lipoprotein)
|
| Less than 100 mg/dL: optimal
|
| 100-129 mg/dL: near optimal/above optimal
|
| 130-159 mg/dL: borderline high
|
| 160- 189 mg/dL: high
|
| 190 mg/dL and above: very high
|
Triglycerides are another type of fat in the bloodstream. High levels are a risk factor for narrowing arteries in the body.
| Triglycerides
|
| Less than n150 mg/dL: normal
|
| 150-199 mg/dL: borderline to high
|
| 200-499mg/dL: high
|
| Above 500 mg/dL: very high
|
What Should I Do if I Have High Cholesterol?
As described above, high total cholesterol blood levels are associated with
an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Depending on the test results, lifelong treatment including
healthy lifestyle
changes and/or medications may be recommended.
If you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, the main goal of a
treatment program is to lower the numbers to decrease the potential risk of
narrowed arteries and their complications.
- Lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet low unsaturated fats and
cholesterol, exercise, weight control, and avoiding or quitting smoking.
- Medications may be prescribed in conjunction with lifestyle changes. The
health care practitioner and patient decide together which medications may be
required if lifestyle changes are not adequate to control cholesterol levels.
The choice of medication depends upon which type of cholesterol or triglyceride
is elevated, past medical history, other illnesses that may be present, and
other medications that are being taken.
- Cholesterol control is often a lifelong commitment.
- Other risk factors associated with heart attack, stroke, and peripheral
artery disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and family
history.
Synonyms and Keywords
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numbers
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