While you hear a lot about good and bad cholesterol, cholesterol is not in itself bad. Your body naturally produces cholesterol, and some people produce more than others. Vitamin D, some hormones, cell membranes and digestive enzymes, namely bile, all need cholesterol for healthy formation, notes Rutgers Univeristy Health Services. However, too much or too little of good or bad cholesterol can spell health trouble.
What Cholesterol Limits Indicate
Your body naturally produces cholesterol in the liver or gets it when you eat animal products. Too much or too little of it causes coronary heart disease and quite possibly a stroke or heart attack. When getting blood cholesterol tested, results come back in milligrams per decileter of blood, or mg/dL, according to the American Heart Association. Aside from blood cholesterol levels, doctors also take into account family history. Some people naturally produce more cholesterol than others due to genetics. Age, smoking, high blood pressure and lifestyle factors also are considered..
Total Blood Cholesterol Level
Those with less than 200 mg/dL have the lowest risk of coronary heart disease. Cholesterol levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high. 240 mg/dL and above is high, doubling the likelihood of individuals getting coronary heart disease, compared to those with cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL, says the American Heart Association.
HDL Cholesterol Level
High density lipoproteins, or HDL, is referred to as good cholesterol. The risk for heart disease increases, though if HDL levels are below 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women. Mens male hormones, testosterone, progesterone and anabolic steroids, reduce HDL levels, but female sex hormones actually raise HDL levels. Smoking, being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle decreases good cholesterol. Therefore, doctors recommend that people avoid tobacco products, get at least 30 to 60 minutes of daily physical activity, and maintain healthy weight levels to increase HDL.
LDL Cholesterol Level
Low density lipoproteins, or LDL, is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol. Family genetics really play a role in how much LDL people naturally produce. LDL levels below 100 mg/dL is optimal, with 100 and 129 mg/dL considered near or above optimal by the AHA. The AHA considers 130 to 159 mg/dL borderline high, with 160 to 189 mg/dL considered high and above 190 mg/dL very high. Doctors assess other factors in addition to LDL levels to determine what's an appropriate level and to decide on treatment options for each person. What's good for your friend isn't necessarily good for you.
Triglyceride Levels
People with high triglyceride, or fat levels, also have low HDL levels. Combine that with high LDL blood cholesterol and atherosclerosis may result. Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL. Borderline high is 150 to 199 mg/dL, with high ranging from 200 to 499 mg/dL and very high at 500 mg/dL or more. Being overweight or obese, being sedentary or a smoker, or consuming high amounts of alcohol and having carbohydrates at 60 percent of total daily caloric intake, increase triglyceride levels. Genetic disorders and diseases also contribute to this. Triglycerides improve with healthy dietary, alcohol and exercise modifications.
