Cholesterol Levels

Every person over the age of 20 should get their cholesterol levels check at least once every five years. A blood test term as a a lipid profile is the screening test that is typically perform. Men and women should both have more frequent screenings for lipid problems if they are 35 years of age or older. Included in the lipoprotein profile are:

• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, is included in total cholesterol.
• High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is referred to as “good” cholesterol.
• Triglycerides are fats that come from our food and are carried in the blood.

LDL Cholesterol Levels

LDL cholesterol can accumulate on the artery walls, increasing your risk of heart disease. These cholesterol is refer to as “bad” cholesterol because of this. When your LDL cholesterol level drops, your risk goes down.

If your LDL is 190 or more, it is consider to be very high. Your doctor might suggest a statin in addition to suggesting a healthy lifestyle. Statin medications can lower cholesterol levels.

Even if your LDL level is less than 190, you may still need to take a statin. Your doctor will suggest a percentage you should strive to lower your LDL level through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary after calculating your 10-year risk.

HDL cholesterol Levels

A greater score indicates a decreased risk when it comes to HDL cholesterol levels or the “good” cholesterol. Because HDL cholesterol removes the “bad” cholesterol from your blood and prevents it from accumulating in your arteries, it protects against heart disease.  Both exercise and a statin can slightly raise your HDL levels.

Triglycerides

The majority of fat in meals in the body is present as triglycerides. A higher risk of coronary artery disease has been associate with high triglyceride levels.

There is a considerable likelihood that you also have low HDL “good” cholesterol and high LDL “bad” cholesterol if you have high triglyceride levels. This combination increases your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Good news, then: Numerous drugs used to treat excessive cholesterol levels also aid in reducing high triglyceride levels.

Conclusion

LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipid components are included in your total blood cholesterol levels measurement. Your total cholesterol value will be use by your doctor to assess your risk for heart disease and the best course of treatment.