Cholesterol Levels - Good Cholesterol, and Bad Cholesterol
Most of us understand that our cholesterol level is important; but many people don't understand the importance of good and bad cholesterol. Cholesterol is a substance found naturally in our cells and bloodstream, and performs several necessary functions. But too much cholesterol can lead to an increased chance of a stroke or heart attack. Around 42 million Americans suffer from high cholesterol.
Cholesterol falls into two basic types -- good cholesterol, also known as HDL; and bad cholesterol, also known as LDL. HDL cholesterol is good because the particles actually remove cholesterol from the artery walls and dispose of them through the liver. However, LDL is bad as it actually deposits cholesterol on the artery walls, eventually leading to a build-up that narrows the arteries.
A person's total cholesterol is the sum of their LDL and HDL levels; and just to add to the confusion, we all also have levels of VLDL (very low density) cholesterol, and IDL (intermediate density) cholesterol. Our cholesterol level is determined by not only what we eat, but heredity factors as well -- hypercholesterolemia, in which the liver is unable to adequately remove cholesterol, is a common inherited condition.
Cholesterol levels are generally measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (usually abbreviated as mg/dl.) Generally speaking, a cholesterol level of below 200 mg/dl is considered to be good; while a cholesterol level that is somewhere between 200 and 239 mg/dl is considered to be borderline high risk. If you fall into this category, it's a good idea to start thinking about a healthier diet.
A level of over 240 mg/dl is considered to be high risk; in fact if your cholesterol level falls within this range, statistically you have twice the risk of heart disease as a person with a level under 200. If your cholesterol level is over 240, it is dangerously high and you should definitely think about making some changes in your diet, exercising more and giving up smoking if applicable.
Cholesterol levels can also be determined by just measuring the LDL cholesterol; in fact, some experts advise that it is a better indication than measuring the different types of cholesterol combined. In general, the lower a person's LDL or bad cholesterol, the lower their risk of a heart attack. A healthy level is considered to be under 129 mg/dl; a level of 130 to 189 is high; and a score of 190 or over is too high.
Triglyceride is a form of body fat and different levels of this substance can also help to influence the total cholesterol level. If you have excess triglycerides, you are probably going to have high levels of bad cholesterol as well; so it's even more important to change your diet and routine. A healthy level is under 150 mg/dl; high is anywhere from 150 to 499; and over 500 is very high.
Not all cholesterol is bad. But if you haven't had your cholesterol checked in a while, take the time to check that your numbers are where they should be.