The body needs cholesterol to function, however, too much of it can increase your risk for heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every six adults in the U.S. has high blood cholesterol. High cholesterol presents no symptoms, and most people are unaware of it until it shows up on a blood test or after they have had a heart attack or stroke.
HDL Cholesterol
When your doctor checks your cholesterol levels, he checks the level of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol in your blood. HDL cholesterol is your "good" cholesterol. The higher your HDL numbers, the lower your risk for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. High-density lipoprotein transports excess blood cholesterol back to your liver. A high HDL count means you have less "bad" blood cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoproteins, or LDLs, carry cholesterol to various tissues and organs throughout the body. Unlike HDL cholesterol, excess LDL cholesterol builds up in the blood and begins accumulating in the blood vessels, forming plaque. Plaque buildup can narrow your arteries and lead to coronary artery disease. Thus, LDL cholesterol is "bad" cholesterol and you want to keep it at low levels.
High HDL vs. Low LDL
The Mayo Clinic and the American Heart Association both state that raising your HDL cholesterol level goes a much longer way toward lowering your risk for heart disease than just lowering your LDL cholesterol.
Normal Cholesterol Levels
Blood cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). The American Heart Association states that an HDL cholesterol level of 60 mg/dL and above keeps you at a lower risk for heart disease. An HDL level under 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women increases the risk for heart disease. An LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dL will keep you at a low risk for heart disease. An LDL level over 160 increases your risk for heart disease.
Lowering Your Cholesterol
If you're overweight, losing weight through a healthy low-fat/cholesterol diet combined with daily exercise are good first steps toward lowering your risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association also suggests kicking the nicotine habit if you smoke. Your doctor may also prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins or fibrates if dietary changes are not enough. Alcohol consumption should be no more than two drinks per day for men, one drink per day for women and everyone 65 and older.
