Cholesterol Article
Cholesterol Readings
If you suffer from high blood cholesterol, it is very important to have readings of the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol level readings are the measurements of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (low level lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, and HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.At the time of your cholesterol level reading, it is imperative that the cholesterol levels of all three types of cholesterol (LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol) be reviewed by the doctor.
Readings of 200 mg/dL (preferred) up to a limit of 239mg/dL are desirable for your total cholesterol readings. You are more at risk of coronary heart disease with total cholesterol readings greater than 240mg/dL.
LDL Cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein is better known as bad cholesterol. High levels of low density lipoprotein in the blood can cause cholesterol to attach itself to the membranes of circulatory system. These deposits eventually cause the blood flow to become sluggish and the person becomes more at risk of having coronary heart disease.
A healthy LDL cholesterol level is no more than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). A LDL cholesterol reading between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline. LDL cholesterol readings at 240 mg/dL and higher are considered dangerous.
HDL Cholesterol
The “good” cholesterol is high density lipoprotein. High density lipoprotein is responsible for washing away excess cholesterol from the blood stream to the liver. The liver breaks down the excess cholesterol into liver bile and is excreted from the body.
An HDL level of 40mg/dL is recommended. The high density lipoprotein level should not drop below 40 mg/dL and it’s preferable to maintain your HDL level in a range of 40 mg/dL and 45 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol readings greater than 60 mg/dL are believed to be beneficial both to coronary blood vessels and to cerebral blood vessels. Good HDL levels help to keep the blood vessels free of fatty cholesterol debris.
Triglycerides
Yet another kind of fat is known as triglycerides. Triglycerides accumulate as fatty molecules which move through the blood stream. Triglycerides represent almost all fats in our diet, and are one of the main risk factors in coronary heart disease.
At high levels, triglycerides thicken the blood and could lead to heart attacks or strokes. Triglyceride levels should preferably be maintain at 150 mg/dL or below. A borderline range is 150 milligrams per deciliter to 199 milligrams per deciliter. Your triglyceride level reading should never exceed 200 mg/dL.
Remember there are no ideal readings for your cholesterol. Proper readings depend on each individual. Acceptable readings will take into consideration the person’s risk factors (sec, family history and age). Experts are agreed, however, that a total cholesterol reading higher than 240 mg/dL should be a signal to make some lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart problems.
The most recent national guidelines recommend getting cholesterol readings every 1 to 2 years. It is of little benefit to have cholesterol readings more often than this unless the person is under an intensive therapy program.
