Your body requires a small amount of cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and fat-digesting bile acids, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Cholesterol travels in the bloodstream combined with protein, together called lipoproteins. High density lipoproteins, or HDLs, carry cholesterol back to the liver to be removed from the body. Excess cholesterol carried by low density lipoproteins, or LDLs, can build up in your arteries and cause heart attack or stroke.
Getting Your Cholesterol Tested
Because high cholesterol generally has no symptoms, the Mayo Clinic website recommends that adults over 20 years old have their blood tested every 5 years for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. If your family has a history of high cholesterol or heart disease or if you are overweight, physically inactive, have diabetes or a high-fat diet, you are at increased risk for high cholesterol and heart disease and should be tested more often.
Your LDL Cholesterol Target
Mayo Clinic.com says that most people should keep their LDL cholesterol below 130 mg of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. If you have risk factors such as a previous heart attack or stroke, or artery blockages in your neck, arms or legs, you should keep your LDL level below 100 mg/dL. An LDL level below 70 mg/dL is recommended for those with very high risk factors including smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, diabetes and family history of early heart disease.
Choosing a Heart Healthy Lifestyle
Your lifestyle has a large effect on your LDL cholesterol level, which can be lowered by eating less saturated fat and cholesterol from animal products, losing weight, exercising more and drinking less alcohol. The Mayo Clinic website recommends choosing healthier monounsaturated fats like olive, peanut and canola oils and eliminating trans fats found in fried foods and commercial baked goods. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel and herring can lower LDL cholesterol.
Considering Statins
How fast your body produces and disposes of cholesterol is also largely determined by heredity, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. If lifestyle changes aren't enough to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor or others. According to the Mayo Clinic website, statins may not be needed if your heart attack or stroke risk is low, apart from high cholesterol. Statins are generally taken indefinitely to lower, then maintain cholesterol levels.
Raising HDL Cholesterol
Mayo Clinic.com also suggests raising your level of HDL cholesterol, which "sweeps up" LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Taking niacin can raise HDL cholesterol by 15 to 35 percent; niacin is available by prescription or in over-the-counter supplements, but you should consult your doctor before taking high doses of niacin, especially if you are taking statins. A common side effect of niacin is a temporary flushing of the skin. Stopping smoking can also boost your HDL cholesterol, as can healthy diet and exercise.
