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Cholesterol
Understanding Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol can be the foundation of many unwanted health complications.
It is important to understand its impact and to maintain healthy levels for a lifetime.
Cholesterol can be described in simple terms. There’s HDL or (high density lipoprotein)
think of it as your “healthy cholesterol.” The higher your HDL, the lower your chance
of getting heart disease. It is responsible for assisting your liver in removing
cholesterol from your body. LDL or (low density lipoprotein) can be remembered and
differentiated as your “lousy cholesterol.” This is the one that can build up in your
arteries causing potential life threatening health conditions.
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High blood cholesterol increases your chances for coronary heart disease. Coronary heart
disease is a disease of the blood vessels of the heart that causes a heart attack. It
is the number one killer among African Americans. It is a major risk factor in many diseases,
including Metabolic Syndrome.
You can take steps to protect your heart! Improve your cholesterol
level or keep it at the right level to help reduce your risk of getting heart disease.
Now you and your family can test cholesterol levels right at home.
| Here's what your numbers mean |
| Total blood cholesterol |
| Desirable: |
Less than 200 mg/dL: |
Good for you! Try to keep it below this number. |
| Borderline: |
200-239 mg/dL |
Beon the alert! You are at risk for a heart attack. You need to make changes in your lifestyle. |
| High: |
240 mg/dL or higher |
Danger zone! You have a higher risk for a heart attack. Seek help from your doctor to lower your cholesterol level. |
| HDL-Cholesterol: |
35 mg/dL or higher |
Being physically active can help raise your HDL. |
If the total blood cholesterol number is higher than 200, or if your HDL is lower than 35,
your doctor may order blood tests to check your LDL cholesterol level.
| Here's what your numbers mean |
| LDL cholesterol |
| Desirable: |
Less than 130 mg/dL |
| Borderline: |
130-159 mg/dL |
| High: |
160 mg/dL or more |
Cholesterol is one of the body's fats (lipids). Cholesterol and another lipid, triglyceride,
are important building blocks in the structure of cells and are also used in making hormones
and producing energy. To some extent, the cholesterol level in blood depends on what you eat
but it is mainly dependent on how the body makes cholesterol in the liver.
Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but can lead to the
hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems.
For the sake of simplicity, there are two sorts of cholesterol: a 'good' sort called high
density lipoprotein (HDL) and a 'bad' sort called low density lipoprotein (LDL).
HDL has a useful effect in reducing tissue cholesterol and taking it back to the liver.
HDL actually protects against atherosclerosis. LDL may contribute to diseases of the
arteries (cardiovascular disease).
It is the proportion of LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol that influences the degree to
which atherosclerosis is likely to cause problems (cardiovascular risk).
LDL-cholesterol level can be lowered by eating a low fat diet and, if required, taking
medication. HDL-cholesterol level can be raised by exercising.
Next: Cholesterol Count >>
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