Although cholesterol is often perceived in a negative context, your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. The human body makes cholesterol while also obtaining it from ingestion of cholesterol-containing foods. Obtaining too much cholesterol can significantly increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. To prevent a risk factor to a heart attack or stroke, know your healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels and get your cholesterol tested at a doctor's office or health lab.
Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides are a chemical form of fat found in the body consisting of three molecules of fatty acids combined with glycerol. An elevated level of triglycerides is linked to the occurrence of heart disease for some people. Usually, if you have high triglyceride levels, you also have high cholesterol levels. To accurately measure triglycerides in blood plasma, you will have to fast before the test. Any food you eat will interfere with an accurate reading. According to the American Heart Association, normal triglyceride levels are less than 150mg/dL. High triglyceride levels are from 200 to 499mg/dL while very high levels are 500mg/dL or higher.
HDL Levels
There are two forms of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is referred to as the "good" cholesterol. Medical experts believe HDL cholesterol circulates in your body and removes the "bad" LDL cholesterol from your arteries and returns it to the liver, where it can be excreted. HDL cholesterol may also help slow down the buildup of arterial plaque by removing excess cholesterol. Because HDL cholesterol helps improve your health, you generally want to keep your HDL levels higher than the minimum recommendation. According to MayoClinic.com, women and men should aim for a HDL cholesterol score of higher than 60mg/dL. Men's HDL cholesterol score of less than 40mg/dL or women's HDL cholesterol scores of less than 50mg/dL are classified as poor.
LDL Levels
LDL cholesterol is known as the "bad" cholesterol. When too much LDL cholesterol is circulating in your body, it can slowly build up on the arteries close to your heart and brain. The cholesterol builds up and with other fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances to form plaque. Plaque is a hard deposit that lines the arteries and can make them narrower and less flexible, leading to the condition of atherosclerosis. Plaques can disrupt blood flow to areas of your body. To prevent atherosclerosis, keep your LDL cholesterol levels low. The American Heart Association recommends keeping LDL levels below 100mg/dL, which it classifies as "optimal." LDL levels of 100 to 129mg/dL are "near or above optimal." Levels between 130 to 159mg/dL are "borderline high" while 160 to 189 mg/dL are high and 190mg/dL and above are classified as "very high."
Food Sources of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is only present in animal products. Therefore, to lower your LDL cholesterol levels, cut back on your intake of animal food products such as meat, dairy and eggs. Also avoid trans and saturated fats while consuming heart-healthy plant fats such as olive oil. Diet, as well as exercise and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, are important factors that influence your cholesterol numbers.
Warning
If you have other risk factors for a heart attack or stroke, your doctor may recommend other cholesterol level guidelines. Always follow the advice of your doctor.
