Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, causing approximately 70 percent of all deaths from heart disease in the United States, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronary heart disease results from plaque that builds up and clogs the coronary artery, preventing oxygenated blood from reaching your heart. Plaque consists of cholesterol and fat. Your blood contains different types of cholesterol that is each a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol increases your risk for coronary heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your liver produces and you derive from certain foods in your diet, particularly animal products such as egg yolks, meat and dairy. When you produce and eat too much cholesterol, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. Over time the build-up clogs your arteries and can cause a heart attack. You can lower your risk of high cholesterol by minimizing or avoiding foods in your diet that contain cholesterol and by exercising and not smoking.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is the measurement of the amount of cholesterol in your blood serum. The American Heart Association says that less than 200 mg per dL is a healthy and desirable level of serum cholesterol, 200 to 239 mg per dL is borderline to high risk and 240 mg per dL and over is high risk for coronary heart disease. High cholesterol has no symptoms and can only be detected through a blood test. High cholesterol afflicts approximately one in every six adults in the United States and doubles your risk of heart disease compared with lower levels, states the CDC. If you have heart disease or have normal cholesterol, you can lower your risk for a heart attack by reducing your cholesterol levels in your diet.
LDL Cholesterol
Low lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, is the bad cholesterol in your blood serum. LDL cholesterol is a better indicator of your risk of heart disease than total cholesterol. The higher your levels of LDL-cholesterol, the higher your risk for coronary heart disease. The optimal desired level of LDL cholesterol is below 100 mg per dL, whereas levels of 130 mg per dL and over indicates that you have a high risk of heart disease. Reducing saturated and trans fats in your diet may lower your LDL cholesterol, states the AHA.
HDL Cholesterol
High density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, is the good cholesterol in your blood serum. The higher your levels of HDL-cholesterol, the lower your risk for coronary heart disease. Levels below 40 mg per dL for women and 50 mg per dL for men are considered high risk, whereas levels of 60 mg per dL and over may reduce your risk, states the AHA. Overweight, being sedentary and smoking can each reduce your HDL levels, whereas maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and not smoking can increase your HDL levels. Eating foods with healthy fats, such as olive oil and fish, may also increase your HDL levels.
References
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Disease Facts
- National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute: Coronary Artery Disease
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Cholesterol Fact Sheet
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- MayoClinic.com: Hdl Cholesterol: How to Boost Your 'Good' Cholesterol
