Cholesterol is carried through your blood attached to proteins. The combination of cholesterol and protein is referred to as a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are categorized as good or bad based on the type and amount of cholesterol they carry. Your bad, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and increases your risk for heart disease. Your good, or high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, helps your body get rid of excess amounts of bad cholesterol and is protective against heart disease.
Total Cholesterol
Cholesterol screenings involve values for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol. Your total cholesterol represents all of the cholesterol in your bloodstream. The goal for cholesterol readings is to have a low total cholesterol. Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL is considered ideal. Cholesterol values between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high, whereas cholesterol levels 240 mg/dL and higher are considered high. High total cholesterol levels increase your risk for heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is needed by your body to bind cells together, produce vitamin D and hormones and to create substances that aid with the digestion of the foods you eat. It is also the primary source of cholesterol accumulation and blockage in your arteries when you have too much in your bloodstream. The higher your LDL cholesterol levels climb, the greater is your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. LDL cholesterol levels less than 100 mg/dL are considered optimal and levels between 100 and 129 mg/dL are near optimal. As your LDL cholesterol levels increase to 130 to 159 mg/dL, they are considered borderline high. LDL cholesterol levels between 160 and 189 are classified as high and LDL levels 190 mg/dL and above are considered very high. Although 100 mg/dL or less of LDL cholesterol is considered optimal, MayoClinic.com notes that those at a very high risk for heart disease should aim to keep their LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol carries excess amounts of LDL cholesterol from your body back to your liver, where it can be removed from your body. High HDL cholesterol levels are ideal because they help prevent the accumulation of cholesterol on the arteries and lower your risk of heart disease. HDL cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL and lower put you at risk for heart disease, whereas HDL cholesterol levels 60 mg/dL or higher are protective against heart disease.
Considerations
If you have high total or LDL cholesterol, there are steps that you can take to lower your numbers. Following a diet that is low in fat and dietary cholesterol and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can significantly reduce your cholesterol levels. The Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, found that refined carbohydrates and white sugar also increase LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while lowering HDL cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol, you should avoid white flour, white rice and white sugar as much as possible. Avoiding unhealthy habits, such as smoking and excessive drinking, can also help lower your cholesterol levels. There are also steps you can take to increase your HDL levels. Smoking cessation not only decreases bad cholesterol, but it can also increase good cholesterol. Exercising regularly can also help increase your HDL cholesterol levels.
