Blood cholesterol level is a major factor in determining one’s risk of developing heart disease. Usually, the higher level of one’s total blood cholesterol is, the higher his or her risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack would be. In many countries including the United States, nowadays, heart disease is the number one cause of death among both women and men.
High blood cholesterol
Cholesterol is used to build healthy cells, as well as some vital hormones. When we have high cholesterol level, we may develop fatty deposits in our blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits cause a narrowing of the arteries and make it difficult for enough blood to flow through our arteries. Our heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack. If blood flow to part of our heart stops, we’ll have a heart attack. If blood flow to part of our brain stops, a stroke occurs.
Symptoms
High cholesterol has no symptoms. This lack of symptoms makes it imperative that everyone, 20 and over is tested and knows his or her blood cholesterol numbers.
Know your cholesterol levels
It is recommended anyone (20 year-old over) should take cholesterol test, and at least every five years, have your cholesterol retested. To check your cholesterol levels, usually, you’ll need to go without eating or drinking anything but water for nine to 12 hours before your blood draw. It is likely your doctor will recommend you have your blood drawn early in the morning.
Tests and diagnosis
A blood test to check cholesterol levels called a lipid panel or lipid profile, typically reports:
• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol — the primary source of cholesterol build up and blockage in our arteries
• HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol — helps to keep LDL cholesterol from building up in our arteries
• Triglycerides — a type of fat in the blood may develop fatty deposits
Understanding the numbers
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood in the United States and some other countries. Canada and most European countries measure cholesterol in millimoles (mmol) per liter (L) of blood.
Are your cholesterol level is in the optimal category?
Total cholesterol level:
Below 200 mg/dL: desirable
200 - 239 mg/dL: borderline high
240 mg/dL and above : high
LDL cholesterol(bad) level:
Less than 100 mg/dL : Optimal
100 - 129mg/dL : Near optimal/above optimal
130 - 159mg/dL : Borderline high
160 - 189 mg/dL : High
190 mg/dL and above : Very high
HDL cholesterol(good) level:
Below 40 mg/dL (men) : poor
Below 50 mg/dL (women) : poor
50-59 mg/dL : better
60 mg/dL and above : best
Triglyceride level:
Below 150 mg/dL : desirable
150-199 mg/dL: borderline high
200-499 mg/dL : high
500 mg/dL and above : very high
Heart disease risk increases in people who have high LDL cholesterol levels and or triglyceride levels. If you have high blood cholesterol, lowering your numbers will significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Related posts
- How to Prevent High Cholesterol to be HealthierThe high cholesterol level means too much cholesterol in the...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Leave a Reply