Many different measurements can help determine your cardiovascular health. Measuring cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your bloodstream provides an idea of the health of your blood vessels as well as your risk for heart disease. A normal total cholesterol level is below 200 mg per dL of blood, and a healthy triglyceride level is below 150 mg per dL of blood. Levels much higher than these values can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Significance
Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are two measurements of the overall fat content in your bloodstream. Cholesterol is responsible for transporting fats to your tissues but can get caught up in the blood vessels and cause a narrowing of the vessel known as atherosclerosis. Triglycerides, another type of fat, also can get stuck to your blood vessels and promote heart disease. Keeping both bad cholesterol and trigylceride levels low reduces the risk of heart disease.
Types of Cholesterol
There are three major types of cholesterol--VLDL, LDL and HDL--though a standard cholesterol test measures only LDL and HDL. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is also known as bad cholesterol, and high levels have been linked to heart disease. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is called good cholesterol because it acts to remove LDL from your bloodstream. High amounts of HDL can protect you against heart disease.
Normal Cholesterol Levels
When you receive your cholesterol measurements, they usually include three values: total cholesterol, LDL and HDL. A healthy adult normally has a total cholesterol below 200 mg per dL. Of this 200 mg per dL, less than 100 mg per dL is normally LDL and a good target of HDL is above 60 mg per dL. For patients with existing disease or risk factors, these target values might be different.
Normal Triglyceride Levels
Lowering triglyceride levels can help protect against heart disease. A normal level of triglycerides is below 150 mg per dL. Measurements above 200 mg per dL are too high and might be associated with increased risk of heart disease. For patients with existing heart disease or other risk factors, the target levels of triglycerides could be different.
Prevention/Solution
One of the best ways to lower or maintain low levels of cholesterol and triglycercides is through lifestyle changes. According to the Harvard Health Publication, you can lower these values by decreasing the amount of bad saturated fats in your food and by exercising more, losing extra weight and avoiding other behaviors associated with heart disease, such as smoking. Talk to your physician about the healthiest way to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
