Cholesterol Numbers
November 28th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Understanding Cholesterol Numbers
Today, one of the most useful tests an adult can take is the cholesterol test. The results of this test can indicate a possible problem when taken in conjunction with other risk factors. The usual cholesterol test is the lipoprotein profile. Cholesterol is made in your body by your liver.
It is a fatty substance that combines with protein and travels in bile into the intestine where it is absorbed and enters the bloodstream to help build and maintain cells, make hormones and strengthens nerves. At least that’s what good cholesterol does. Bad cholesterol builds plaque in the arteries constricting blood flow and causes heart disease and heart attacks.
Reading The Results
The results of the test show cholesterol numbers for low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density protein (HDL) and triglycerides as well as the total of all cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol. The density is the ratio of fatty cholesterol to protein.
Low density means that the ratio of protein is low and the cholesterol is high in fat. HDL, of course is the good cholesterol with high protein ratios. Triglycerides are fats traveling in the blood. Extra calories, alcohol and sugar convert to triglycerides and are stored in fat cells. Only the HDL is good for you.
The best LDL numbers are below 100 but 100 to 129 is good. Borderline high is 130 to 159. High LDL is 160-189 and over 190 are very high. If you have risk factors like existing heart or blood vessel disease, doctors believe that your LDL cholesterol numbers should be below 70. Less dangerous risk factors like diabetes allow LDL cholesterol numbers up to almost 100.
HDL cholesterol actually helps keep bad cholesterol down and cleans out artery clogs, so the higher, the better. If HDL cholesterol numbers are below 40 for men or 50 for women, it is considered too low and constitutes a risk factor. Your best HDL cholesterol numbers are above 60.
High triglyceride levels are a predictor for possible coronary artery disease. Normal levels are less than 150; borderline high is 150 to 199. They are high at 200 to 4999 and very high if 500 or over. Total cholesterol numbers should be below 200. If you have total cholesterol numbers from 200 to 239 you are border line high and at 240 or above you are at an extremely high risk. Together with your doctor, you can discuss how your cholesterol numbers fit with your personal risk factors and the results of other tests from a physical examination.
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Cholesterol Reading
November 14th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Making Sense of Your Cholesterol Reading
If you are older than 20, then your doctor has probably already taken a cholesterol test as part of a physical exam. You have probably already had your cholesterol reading explained to you and, if necessary, have discussed any necessary changes to your lifestyle outlined. By now, you should understand how your cholesterol reading impacts your life. Where do you go from here? You learn as much as you can about cholesterol.
Cholesterol Numbers
Your cholesterol reading should have LDL levels under 100 for the best results and below 130 for good results. LDL is the bad cholesterol and you have to keep that number low. If your cholesterol reading shows LDL of 130 or above, your doctor has very likely suggested an improvement in diet or exercise.
Your cholesterol reading should have HDL levels above 60. HDL is the good cholesterol and you have to keep that number high. If you are a man and your HDL is below 40 – 50 for a woman – then your doctor has suggested ways to improve it. Your cholesterol reading for triglycerides should be under 150. Triglycerides are fats from excess calories, alcohol or sugar. They travel through your blood and can cause coronary artery disease. Your cholesterol reading should be below 200.
If you need to improve your cholesterol reading, you should be aware of the common misconceptions about cholesterol. It is important to avoid saturated fats and trans fats. There are butter substitutes that have very low levels of these kinds of fats, but most margarine isn’t among them. Look for specially labeled spreads but use all fats sparingly. Being overweight sometimes indicates high cholesterol.
That doesn’t mean however that thin people are safe from it. It really can be about the metabolism. If you are thin but eat cholesterol-rich foods or have a hereditary predisposition to high cholesterol, you will be much better off getting a test and knowing for sure.
Just because your doctor hasn’t mentioned high cholesterol, don’t assume you’re safe. Get tested and find out what your cholesterol reading means. If you think your doctor isn’t being proactive enough, double check the information on the Internet. To be on the safe side, adopt a low fat diet and exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. The label may say “low-cholesterol” but check the nutrition label too. Avoid saturated and trans fats.
Be sure to check the serving size. If it is half or a quarter the size you thought it was, remember to multiply calories and fat grams by that number to get a realistic idea. Some people believe that cholesterol isn’t a problem if you are taking cholesterol medication, if you are a woman or if you are young. All of those beliefs are wrong. The best thing you can do is find out the facts, take the test and understand your cholesterol reading.
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