Cholesterol and triglycerides perform important roles in the body, but at high levels, they also can lead to serious health problems. To prevent such complications, it is important to monitor and control the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. In addition, you should follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and possibly take medication to help control cholesterol levels in your body.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a substance found in fats you eat and also is produced naturally by your body. It serves vital functions, most notably helping to build healthy cells. However, excess cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up in your blood vessel walls and lead to heart disease.
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as "bad" cholesterol. It can cause a blockage that eventually leads to a heart attack or stroke. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is the "good" cholesterol. HDL helps lower total cholesterol levels by taking excess cholesterol from your blood vessels to your liver, which removes it from your body.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the form in which fat is stored in your body. The human body uses the food you eat as energy. However, any calories that are not needed immediately are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. When your body needs energy at a later time, hormones release triglycerides into your blood stream. If you overeat or eat more calories than you burn, your triglyceride levels will rise. Just like cholesterol, a high triglyceride count can increase your risk of heart disease.
Healthy Levels
To prevent serious health problems, keep your cholesterol and triglycerides at healthy levels. Cholesterol and triglycerides are measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood. Your total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL; readings between 200 and 239 are considered borderline high and above 240 is high, according to the Mayo Clinic. LDL levels should be below 70 mg/dL, while optimal HDL levels are above 60 mg/dL. A desirable triglyceride count is below 150 mg/dL; a reading above 200 is considered too high.
Risk Factors
High cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to serious medical problems, including atherosclerosis, which occurs when your arteries become hard and narrow. This condition prevents blood from properly flowing through your blood vessels. Eventually, it can cause a complete blockage of blood flow, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Prevention
To prevent elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, follow a healthy lifestyle. This includes limiting fat and cholesterol intake, exercising regularly, losing weight and if you smoke, quitting.
