The mere mention of cholesterol can produce feelings of anxiety and confusion. Cholesterol gets a bad rep. The body actually needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. Understanding what cholesterol is, what the healthy ranges are and how to manage levels will help calm fears and empower people to take control of their health.
Definition
The Mayo Clinic defines cholesterol as a waxy substance that's found in the fats (lipids) in the blood. While the body needs some cholesterol for survival, having hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, puts individuals at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein are the two types of lipids that make up cholesterol.
High-Density Lipoprotein
High-density lipoprotein is more commonly known as the "good" cholesterol. It is called the good cholesterol because the higher the blood count, the better. The American Heart Association maintains that high levels of HDL protect against heart disease and low levels of HDL actually increase the risk of heart attack. These lipids carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver where it can be removed from the body.
Low-Density Lipoprotein
Low-density lipoprotein is often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. It is bad because this is the kind that builds up in arteries. This accumulation can actually block arteries and cause heart attack and stroke. Treatment for high cholesterol focuses on bringing this number down.
Cholesterol Ranges
A blood test can determine cholesterol count. As a rule, total cholesterol count should be less than 200mg/dL. A developing trend among physicians shows that number is not conservative enough, especially if the patient is considered high risk. In general, lower is better.
Bad cholesterol, or LDL, ranges outlined by the Mayo Clinic are as follows:
• Below 70 mg/dL is ideal for people who are considered very high risk for heart disease.
• Below 100 mg/dL is ideal for people who are at risk of heart disease.
• 100 to 129 mg/dL is considered ideal.
• 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high.
• 160 to 189 mg/dL is high.
• 190 mg/dL and above is classified as very high.
Good cholesterol, or HDL, ranges according to the Mayo Clinic are as follows:
• Below 40 mg/dL in men is considered poor.
• Below 50 mg/dL in women is considered poor.
• 50 to 59 mg/DL is better.
• 60 mg/dL and greater is considered the best.
Treatment
The body naturally produces all of the cholesterol it needs, but cholesterol is also obtained from animal foods in the diet. Good old-fashioned diet and exercise are the first line of defense recommended for lowering cholesterol levels. If diet and exercise are unsuccessful there are several prescription medications available to aid in lowering levels. According to Merck, genetics plays a major part in how the body makes, uses and disposes of lipids. Merck outlines several other factors that can increase chances of cholesterol abnormalities: being overweight, eating a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol, being sedentary and drinking too much alcohol.
