What are Cholesterol Levels?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid in digesting foods.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
- LDL cholesterol - LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. This is considered the "bad" cholesterol because high levels can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
- HDL cholesterol - HDL stands for high-density lipoproteins and is known as "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver, where it can be removed from the body.
When you get a cholesterol test, it measures your:
- Total cholesterol level
- LDL cholesterol level
- HDL cholesterol level
- Triglycerides level (another form of fat in your blood)
What numbers are considered healthy depends on your risk factors for heart disease. In general:
- A total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL is considered desirable
- An LDL level less than 100 mg/dL is optimal
- An HDL level of 60 mg/dL or higher provides some protection against heart disease
Here are a few tips to maintain healthy cholesterol levels:
- Eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats
- Increase intake of foods with omega-3 fatty acids
- Exercise for 30 minutes per day
- Reach and maintain a healthy body weight
- Don't smoke
High cholesterol usually doesn't have obvious symptoms. The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are healthy is to get regular lipid panel blood tests. If you have atherosclerosis or heart disease, treatment may include lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering medications like statins.
Let me know if you have any other questions!