Understanding Your Cholesterol Levels
You know that high cholesterol is a problem and that you should watch your levels. But do you really know what that means? If you have high cholesterol, you should also be aware that you have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke – and of dying from one. So here is some information that can help you understand your cholesterol levels.
More and more Americans are overweight, and obesity is one of the biggest causes behind high cholesterol. However, just because you are overweight does not mean that you have high cholesterol, nor does being a healthy weight mean that your cholesterol levels are normal. Only a blood test will let you know what your cholesterol levels are.
Besides your weight, there are other factors that you have to consider when you want to understand your cholesterol levels. One of the considerations is that there are actually two main types of cholesterol – one that is good and one that is bad. Having insufficient amounts of the good cholesterol – known as HDL – can be just as bad as having too much of the bad cholesterol – known as LDL – and can have the same side effects and risks.
To simplify cholesterol levels, it helps to think of the numbers as categories. Desirable levels are the numbers that you should strive for and represent your lowest level of risk. Borderline risk are numbers that are a little higher than you would like, and represent that it is time to start doing something to improve your risk. High risk levels are warning signs that if you do not do something right away, you could be setting yourself for a heart attack, stroke or worse. Keep in mind that high cholesterol is not your only risk factor for heart disease, so your individual doctor may recommend a different number for you based on your individual health and medical history.
In general, a level of under 200 mg/DL is a desirable level. If your cholesterol level is in this range, you are at the lowest risk for a heart attack or stroke, provided that you do not have other risk factors.
Cholesterol levels between 200 and 230 mg/DL are considered borderline risk. If you are in this category, you are not alone – about a third of the population has levels that fall within this range. You can start talking to your doctor about things that you can do to bring your cholesterol level down. You should also have your levels checked annually. If your HDL is low or if you have other heart disease risk factors, your doctor may advise a more aggressive treatment.
If your cholesterol level is over 240 mg/DL, you are considered to be in the high risk category. This means that you are at a high risk of heart attack, stroke, and other coronary problems. You should talk to your doctor right away to get yourself on a cholesterol-reducing program.
Last but certainly not least, if your cholesterol level is 240mg/DL or above, your cholesterol level risk category is considered high risk and your chance of a heart attack and stroke is heightened. In addition, you have nearly twice the risk of other coronary problems. You may be able to lower your cholesterol with diet and exercise alone, or your doctor may recommend a medication to help.
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