Maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels can help protect against heart disease. The American Heart Association states that cholesterol, family history, age, smoking and blood pressure are all risk factors for heart disease. Lifestyle modifications can help control blood cholesterol. A blood test can determine your cholesterol levels and if they are high, you can develop a treatment plan with your doctor.
Total Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the "good" cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered the "bad" cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL. Heart disease risk is high with levels above 240 mg/dL. Additionally, the ratio between HDL and LDL levels is extremely important; a high HDL level can help lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol
Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries and with other substances, form plaque. The formation of plaque can narrow the arteries and increase the risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends LDL blood levels below 100 mg/dL. Levels above 160 mg/dL increase the risk of artery blockage. You can help decrease LDL cholesterol by decreasing overall cholesterol intake from red meats, lunch meats and sausages, high fat dairy products and high fat cheeses. Exercising regularly can also help decrease your LDL level.
HDL Cholesterol
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HDL cholesterol protects the heart and arteries by binding with excess cholesterol and removing it from the body. The American Heart Association recommends HDL levels above 60 mg/dL. Heart disease risk increases when levels drop below 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women. According to the American Heart Association, drinking alcohol can help increase in HDL by a small amount. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and olive oil, and exercising regularly can also help increase HDL levels.
References
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- U.S. Department of Human Services: Your Guide to a Healthy Heart
- American Heart Association: Alert We have moved! Bookmark our new site at www.heart.org and watch as we make enhancements to give you easier, instant access to life-saving heart disease and stroke information. Alcohol, Wine and Cardiovascular Disease
