Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is needed by the body to function properly. It is made by the liver and is used by all the cells in the body. Cholesterol can also be found in foods. While the body needs a certain amount of cholesterol, consuming too much can cause cholesterol to build up in the blood thereby leading to clogged arteries and an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every six adults has high cholesterol.
Total Cholesterol
Your total cholesterol level is a measure of all of the cholesterol in the blood, both good and bad. It is made up of LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. It is recommended that your total cholesterol level remain below 200mg/dL. Levels between 200mg/dL and 239mg/dL are considered borderline high and levels over 240mg/dL are considered high. Having high cholesterol more than doubles your risk for heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried through the blood by lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins, also known as LDL, keep cholesterol circulating in the blood. When LDL cholesterol builds up, it can thicken and create a plaque on the walls of your arteries. If arteries become completely blocked by plaque, this can block the blood flow to your brain and heart resulting in heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association recommends keeping your LDL cholesterol level below 100 mg/dL. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk for heart disease.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, also carry cholesterol in the blood, however, they work to carry cholesterol away from the heart and back to the liver. High levels of HDL cholesterol can remove excess cholesterol from the blood so that it can be passed out of the body. Unlike LDL cholesterol, it is recommended that HDL cholesterol levels remain high. An HDL cholesterol level above 60mg/dL is considered healthy.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat that, like cholesterol, can be found in the blood. When we eat, excess calories are converted into triglycerides and then stored in the body as fat. Between meals, these triglycerides can be broken down and used as an energy source. High levels of triglycerides are often associated with obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It is recommended that triglyceride levels remain between 10 and 150mg/dL.
References
- Medline Plus; High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides; David C. Dugdale, III, M.D., David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A.; May 2010
- Mayo Clinic: Triglycerides: Why Do They Matter?
- The American Heart Association: What Are High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides?
- The American Heart Association: Cholesterol
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cholesterol Facts
