When it comes to your cholesterol, it is all about the numbers. Cholesterol is a natural substance that is found in your body and it is measured through a blood test that provides a range of values that indicate the levels of cholesterol types in your blood. In general, you want high levels of HDL and low levels of LDL according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein.
Significance of Cholesterol
MedlinePlus states cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in all parts of your body and that your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. Cholesterol is made by your body and is also consumed in the food that you eat. If you eat foods high in dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, you may end up with too much cholesterol in your blood. MedlinePlus states that high levels of cholesterol can lead to plaque in your arteries and eventually heart disease.
Cholesterol Test
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, high cholesterol does not have any symptoms and if you have not had a blood test to check your levels, you may not know if you have high cholesterol. It also states that a simple blood test can determine your overall levels. The CDC states that a cholesterol test is called a lipoprotein profile and it measures several kinds of cholesterol as well as triglycerides.
Ranges
The cholesterol test checks for four numbers, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and HDL. Generally, you should have low levels of LDL and triglycerides because high levels of these can indicate a higher risk for heart disease. LDL is often called "bad" cholesterol, because it can lead to a buildup in the arteries. HDL is considered "good" cholesterol because it works with the liver to flush cholesterol out of the body.
Since HDL is a desirable form of cholesterol, it is generally thought that higher levels of HDL is ideal. According to the CDC, you should have 40mg/dL or higher of HDL; less than 200mg/dL of total cholesterol; less than 100mg/dL of LDL; and less than 150mg/dL of triglycerides. Your risk is greatly increased for heart disease if your LDL levels reach 160 mg/dL or higher, if your triglycerides reach 200 mg/dL, or if your total cholesterol is above 240 mg/dL according to MayoClinic.com.
Benefits
If you keep your HDL numbers in the normal range and your other cholesterol numbers low, you can lower your risk for heart disease, stroke and heart attack. This can be accomplished by incorporating healthy lifestyle choices like eating a nutritious diet and doing exercise, which will also provide health benefits of an ideal body weight and a decreased risk for chronic disease.
Recommendations
The CDC states that to keep cholesterol numbers in the proper range you should maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and eat a healthy diet. A diet that is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and is low in saturated fat, dietary cholesterol and trans fats can help keep HDL levels in the normal range.
