High blood cholesterol makes you a candidate for heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Two different types of cholesterol are found in the blood; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL, and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, each with different roles and different effects on your health.
Measuring Cholesterol in the Blood
Cholesterol is typically measured in the U.S. in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. A blood test for cholesterol levels will give readings for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which is a type of fat.
Normal HDL Cholesterol Range
Often called the "good cholesterol" HDL cholesterol is believed to protect you from heart disease when present in the blood at sufficiently high levels. A reading of 60 mg/dL and above of HDL cholesterol is preferred. Females with readings below 50 mg/dL and males with readings below 40 mg/dL are considered have low levels of HDL cholesterol and are at risk of heart disease. HDL is considered beneficial because it helps to transport LDL back to the liver for processing. When there is too much LDL left in your blood, LDL cholesterol, also known as the "bad cholesterol," will cause fatty deposits to build up in your arteries, also creating a risk of heart disease.
Normal LDL Cholesterol Range
While you want your HDL Cholesterol level to be higher, the opposite is true for your LDL cholesterol. This you want to keep low. According to the American Heart Association, LDL cholesterol levels fall into these categories: an optimal reading would be below 100 mg/dL, 130 to 159 mg/dL is considered borderline high, and 190mg/dL and above is deemed to be very high.
What the Numbers Mean
When a blood test reports that you have high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol, it means the possibility that you could develop heart disease does exist. The severity of the risk will depend on the other factors in your life. Things that increase your risk of heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes. A female above age 55 years and a male above age 45 years are also at increased risk. A combination of any two risk factors places you in the very high risk category, and you should be especially vigilant in trying to maintain normal cholesterol levels, according to the MayoClinic.com.
What You Can Do
If your goal is to achieve a cholesterol level within normal limits, then you can choose to make the lifestyle changes that will help you reach and stay on that target. Give up smoking, which is said to increase LDL cholesterol levels. Eat low fat, balanced meals and get out and become physically active; your aim is higher HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels.
