Cholesterol is a type of fat that serves many purposes inside of the body, including hormone production and cell construction. However, an excess of cholesterol can be unhealthy for your body. Your liver and cells have the ability to manufacture most of the cholesterol you need. Cholesterol can become elevated when you eat an unhealthy diet, don't exercise enough or have an excess of body fat. Regular blood tests for high cholesterol are necessary once you reach the age of 20.
Elevated Cholesterol Levels
Your cholesterol tests will yield three numbers. Your total cholesterol is the amount of all cumulative levels of cholesterol inside your blood. Ideally your total cholesterol should remain below 200 mg/dL. When your total cholesterol begins to rise above 240 mg/dL it is considered high. Low density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, is another reading that will be tested. LDL cholesterol brings lipids around the body for use. It should be kept between 100 to 129 mg/dL, but less is better, especially for those at risk for heart disease. LDL levels above 160 mg/dL are considered too high. Your HDL levels will be the third tested cholesterol. High density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, is considered a good thing to have in excess because it helps remove excess LDL cholesterol from your system before it can clog your arteries. Your HDL cholesterol is best kept above 60 mg/dL, but anything between 40 to 60 mg/dL is considered OK.
Causes
High cholesterol has many causes. Certain causes may be changeable through alterations in your behavior, while others are unchangeable. Causes that you have no control over include your age and your family history. Genetics can cause high cholesterol if your body is programmed to produce more cholesterol than is normal. As you age, your cholesterol levels also increase. Changeable causes of elevated cholesterol include your diet, your level of physical activity and your weight. A diet high in fat, cholesterol and extra calories all contribute to elevated cholesterol levels. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to excess cholesterol. Being overweight or obese can cause high cholesterol. Losing a small amount of weight, even just 5 to 10 lbs. can help reduce your cholesterol levels.
Significance
The biggest reason high cholesterol levels are bad is because they contribute to the development of heart disease. Cholesterol adds to the buildup of plaque on the inside of your arterial walls. Plaque buildup, also known as atherosclerosis, begins when an injury to your arterial walls attracts blood travelers like white blood cells and LDL cholesterol. As these molecules accumulate, a buildup begins and can block normal blood flow through the artery, which can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. High cholesterol contributes in two ways. First, it depresses the functioning of a protein responsible for keeping your arteries healthy and functioning properly. Secondly, LDL is a direct contributor to the actual buildup of plaque on the inside of your arterial walls.
Treating High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can be treated with a change in your lifestyle and with medications. Your doctor may suggest leading a healthy lifestyle before she tries a medication. Changes can include weight loss, regular exercise and adopting a healthier diet. Certain medications work in different ways to treat high cholesterol or to raise HDL cholesterol. Sometimes a combination of behavioral changes and medications is the most effective route.
References
- Harvard Health Publications; Understanding Cholesterol; Mason W. Freemand, M.D.; 2005
- American Heart Association; How To Get Your Cholesterol Tested; January 20, 2011
- Family Doctor.org; Cholesterol: What Your Level Means; November 2010
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; High Blood Cholesterol; June 2005
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
- Science Daily; Link Between Cholesterol and Heart Disease Explained; Sept. 21, 2007
