Cholesterol is a critically important compound in body cell of human and animal for cell growth and viability. Cholesterol found in food, our body also secretes cholesterol. Too much of cholesterol in the body may affect the health. Total cholesterol is the sum of HDL (high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein) and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) which affect our body differently.
HDL (high density lipoprotein), considered "good" cholesterol, maintain peripheral vascularhealth.
LDL (low density lipoprotein), considered "bad" cholesterol, may causehardening and blockage of the arteries
VLDL (very low density lipoprotein), "bad" cholesterol, harmful to our health.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL-Cholesterol) is 60% of the total cholesterol. Although our body need LDL-C, excessive LDL-C will go into arteries and form plaque, thereby cause high cholesterol and clog in blood vessel and cause coronary heart disease,cerebral infarction, myocardialinfarction due to plaquerupture and other serious consequences.
There is another blood lipid named triglycerides,elevatedbloodtriglyceridescanincreaseLDL-C, it is theaccompliceof LDL-C,andis a "timed-bomb" between LDL-C and thearterialwall. Arteries play important role in human body in carrying blood and oxygen to various organs in the body. The 'bad' cholesterol increase and if endothelialflawed due to high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and other factors, it is prone to high cholesterol and will drill into thearterialendotheliumfollowing by the formation ofatheroscleroticplaques.
Cholesterol Levels
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. Consider these general guidelines when you get your cholesterol test (lipid panel or lipid profile) results back to see if your cholesterol falls in an ideal range.
Total cholesterol
U.S. and some other countries
Canada and most of Europe
Below 200 mg/dL
Below 5.2 mmol/L
Desirable
200-239 mg/dL
5.2-6.2 mmol/L
Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above
Above 6.2 mmol/L
High
LDL cholesterol
U.S. and some other countries
Canada and most of Europe
Below 70 mg/dL
Below 1.8 mmol/L
Ideal for people at very high risk of heart disease
Below 100 mg/dL
Below 2.6 mmol/L
Ideal for people at risk of heart disease
100-129 mg/dL
2.6-3.3 mmol/L
Near ideal
130-159 mg/dL
3.4-4.1 mmol/L
Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL
4.1-4.9 mmol/L
High
190 mg/dL and above
Above 4.9 mmol/L
Very high
HDL cholesterol
U.S. and some other countries
Canada and most of Europe
Below 40 mg/dL (men)
Below 50 mg/dL (women)
Below 1 mmol/L (men)
Below 1.3 mmol/L (women)
Poor
50-59 mg/dL
1.3-1.5 mmol/L
Better
60 mg/dL and above
Above 1.5 mmol/L
Best
Triglycerides
U.S. and some other countries
Canada and most of Europe
Below 150 mg/dL
Below 1.7 mmol/L
Desirable
150-199 mg/dL
1.7-2.2 mmol/L
Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL
2.3-5.6 mmol/L
High
500 mg/dL and above
Above 5.6 mmol/L
Very high
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that a triglyceride level of 100 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) or lower is considered "optimal." The AHA says this optimal level would improve your heart health. However, the AHA doesn't recommend drug treatment to reach this level. Instead, for those trying to lower their triglycerides to this level, lifestyle changes such as diet, weight loss and physical activity are encouraged. That's because triglycerides usually respond well to dietary and lifestyle changes.
*Canadian and European guidelines differ slightly from U.S. guidelines. These conversions are based on U.S. guidelines.
A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are things you can do something about:
Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level go up. Saturated fat is the main culprit, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level.
Weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. Losing weight can help lower your LDL and total cholesterol levels, as well as raise your HDL and lower your triglyceride levels.
Physical Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.
Things you cannot do anything about also can affect cholesterol levels. These include:
Age and Gender. As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise. Before the age of menopause, women have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. After the age of menopause, women's LDL levels tend to rise.
Heredity. Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes. High blood cholesterol can run in families.
