Cholesterol is a major factor to consider in maintaining your health. As such, all patients are advised to familiarize themselves with their cholesterol level and monitor it regularly, according to the American Heart Association. Blood cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mm/dL, and is used as an indicator for gauging your risk for coronary heart disease and stroke.
Difference between HDL and LDL
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the blood, carried by particles called lipoproteins. There are two specific types that patients should be concerned about: high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL.
HDL, the so-called "good" cholesterol, reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease because this type of lipoprotein absorbs LDL cholesterol and sends it to the liver, where it gets eliminated from the body.
LDL, on the other hand, makes up most of the body's cholesterol stores. It is known as "bad" cholesterol because high LDL levels indicate a possible buildup of oxidized cholesterol deposits in the arteries, leading to potential blockage and heart disease.
Cholesterol Levels
Blood cholesterol results are interpreted based on an individual's risk factors, including family history, race, age, level of physical activity, diabetes, blood pressure and smoking. Every person needs a certain amount of cholesterol for their body to function properly.
Total cholesterol is measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood or mg/dL. Since excessive cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for stroke, heart and blood vessel disease, a total cholesterol of less than 200mg/dL is the level considered healthy by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Optimum LDL Level
Generally, the lower the LDL level, the less likelihood of a stroke or heart attack. LDL is considered an even better indicator of risk than total cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. It is generally recommended that you maintain an LDL level below 130mg/dL, and if possible, below 100mg/dL. Results greater than 160mg/dL are considered high risk, and if your level is above this, you may need treatment from a physician.
High Risk Factors
Patients at greater risk for heart disease are advised to aim for an LDL level below 70mg/dL, notes MayoClinic.com. Factors that greatly increase the likelihood of heart disease include artery blockages in the neck, artery blockages in the arms or legs, incidence of previous heart attack or stroke, smoking, diabetes, low HDL cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease and age beyond 45 years in men and 55 in women.
Maintaining Healthy Levels
Lowering LDL cholesterol requires a number of lifestyle changes. Foods that contain lots of fat and cholesterol should be avoided, including fried foods, fat-laden meats, pastries, candy, oils, creams, lard, butter, margarine and fatty cheese. Fruits and vegetables should make up a greater proportion of a healthy diet. Reducing your weight can lower LDL cholesterol levels, aside from a giving variety of other health benefits. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine to lower cholesterol.
References
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- Amarillo Medical Specialists: How to Understand and Interpret Blood Test Results
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Cholesterol: Understand Your Risks
- FDA: Cholesterol
- MayoClinic.com: Cholesterol Levels: What Numbers Should You Aim For?
