One in every six American adults has high blood cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cholesterol type known as LDL is a major cause of coronary heart disease, and most high cholesterol treatment aims to lower this number. The lower your LDL number, the lower your risk of heart disease. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has established a set of LDL guidelines for adults age 20 and older. Your risk factors for heart disease, however, play a greater role in determining what your LDL numbers should be.
Cholesterol Facts and Functions
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance that circulates in your blood and is part of your cells. Your liver makes cholesterol and you also eat cholesterol in the form of meat and dairy products. Cholesterol is transported throughout your body in special carriers known as lipoproteins. LDL cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, is measured through low-density lipoprotein. LDL is important because it performs a number of metabolic functions, including producing and repairing cell membranes and helping in hormone production. LDL also has a tendency to stick to the walls of damaged linings in your blood vessels. When LDL builds up and clumps with other particles, flow of blood to your heart and brain can be hindered. The job of high-density lipoproteins, also known as HDL or "good" cholesterol, is like that of a tow truck, shuffling LDL cholesterol back to the liver to be processed and excreted out of your system.
LDL Cholesterol Readings
Blood cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter. According to the American Heart Association, an LDL reading of 100 mg/dL or lower is optimal for adults. Between 100 and 129 mg/dL is near or above optimal. If your reading is 130 to 159 mg/dL, you have borderline high LDL; 160 to 189 mg/dL is high and 190 mg/dL is considered very high. The average LDL for American adults is 115 mg/dL.
LDL Goals Based on Risk Factors
Although public health officials have established guidelines for cholesterol levels, your optimal LDL is based on information, including your overall risk factors for heart disease and stroke. A healthy level for you may not be the same for someone else. The other risk factors, as defined by the NHLBI, include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of premature coronary heart disease, your cholesterol level at your current age and your level of physical activity. If you have coronary heart disease, or risk factors for it, your doctor will establish a goal level for your LDL readings. The NHLBI says if you fall into category 1, you have coronary heart disease and your LDL goal is less than 100 mg/dL. At category 2, you have multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease so your goal LDL is less than 130 mg/dL. If you have one or no risk factors, your goal is less than 160 mg/dL. Your doctor may prescribe a special diet and put you on medications to lower your LDL if you are in a high-risk category.
Cholesterol Control
Some of your risk factors for high LDL are under your control and some, like your genes, age and gender, are not. High cholesterol rarely produces symptoms, but you can take many steps to maintain normal cholesterol levels by getting a blood test, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and controlling your weight. The National Cholesterol Education program advises that all adults should have a comprehensive cholesterol check --- called a fasting lipoprotein -- every five years. You can also stop smoking and follow your doctor's orders if you have high cholesterol already. With diet, you want to reduce your intake of saturated fats to no more than 7 percent of your daily calories and up your intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Eliminate trans fats. Try to keep your dietary cholesterol --- the kind you eat --- to less than 20 mg per day. If you have high cholesterol, you may be put on medications, like statins, niacin, fibrates or other therapies, which help lower your LDL cholesterol.
References
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; High Blood Cholesterol: Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III); May 2001
- National Cholesterol Education Program: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC; December 2005
- Cleveland Clinic: How to Lower Your Cholesterol
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cholesterol - Medications
