Understanding Cholesterol Numbers
Cholesterol levels should be measured at least once every five years
in everyone over the age of 20. The screening test that is usually
performed is a blood test called a lipid profile. Experts recommend that
men aged 35 and older and women aged 45 and older be more frequently
screened for lipid disorders. The lipoprotein profile includes:
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also called "bad" cholesterol)
- HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also called "good" cholesterol)
- Triglycerides (fats carried in the blood from the food we eat.
Excess calories, alcohol, or sugar in the body are converted into
triglycerides and stored in fat cells throughout the body.)
Results of your blood test will come in the forms of numbers. Here is how to interpret your cholesterol numbers:
LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries and
increase your chances of getting heart disease. That is why LDL
cholesterol is referred to as "bad" cholesterol. The lower your LDL
cholesterol number, the lower your risk. The table below explains what
the numbers mean.
LDL Cholesterol
|
LDL-Cholesterol Category
|
Less than 100 |
Optimal |
100 - 129 |
Near optimal/above optimal |
130 - 159 |
Borderline high |
160 - 189 |
High |
190 and above |
Very high |
If you have heart disease or blood vessel disease, some experts
recommend that you should try to get your LDL cholesterol below 70. For
people with diabetes or other multiple risk factors for heart disease,
the treatment goal is to reach an LDL of less than 100, although some
physicians will be more aggressive.
HDL Cholesterol
When it comes to HDL cholesterol -- "good" cholesterol -- the
higher the number, the lower your risk. This is because HDL cholesterol
protects against heart disease by taking the "bad" cholesterol out of
your blood and keeping it from building up in your arteries. The table
below explains what the numbers mean.
HDL Cholesterol
|
HDL-Cholesterol Category
|
60 and above |
High; Optimal; associated with lower risk |
Less than 40 in men and less than 50 in women |
Low; considered a risk factor for heart disease |
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in
food and the body. A high triglyceride level has been linked to higher
risk of coronary artery disease. Here's the breakdown.
Triglycerides
|
Triglyceride Category
|
Less than 150 |
Normal |
150 - 199 |
Mildly High |
200 - 499 |
High |
500 or higher |
Very high |
Total Cholesterol
Your total blood cholesterol is a measure of LDL cholesterol, HDL
cholesterol, and other lipid components. Doctors recommend total
cholesterol levels below 200
Total Cholesterol
|
Category
|
Less than 200 |
Desirable |
200 - 239 |
Mildly High |
240 and above |
High |
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