HDL Cholesterol

This “good” cholesterol is responsible for removing the bad cholesterol that sticks to the walls of the arteries that is responsible for blood clot which later on results to a stroke. Therefore, the higher the HDL cholesterol numbers, the better it is for your health. HDL cholesterol numbers at 60 and above is the best defense against heart disease; An HDL number of 40 in men and 50 in women is considered low and a risk factor for heart disease.

LDL Cholesterol

Known as the bad cholesterol, LDL builds up on the walls of the arteries which block the blood flow. Over time, increase suppression of the flow will bring about heart disease or stroke. Hence, the lower the LDL cholesterol numbers, the better. A less than 100 LDL would be the best number; 100-129 means good; 130-159 is borderline high; 160-189 means high LDL; 190 and above is a very high LDL number. People with other heart disease risk factors are encouraged to lower down their LDL cholesterol numbers to less than a hundred.

Triglycerides

These are considered to be the fats that we get from our foods. They are considered to contribute to the risk factor of heart disease. Therefore, a very high Triglyceride number is from 500 and higher; a high number and a great risk factor as well is from 200-499; borderline high is at 150-199; and the normal Triglyceride number is less than 150.

Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol numbers are composed of the LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipid components, and are recommended at a level below 200, the most desirable number. Numbers at 200-239 is considered borderline high, while a high total blood cholesterol level is 240 and above.

Understanding the meaning of your cholesterol numbers will help you manage your health better.

Related posts:

1. LDL Cholesterol
2. HDL Cholesterol
3. Cholesterol Ratios

Another thing a patient should be aware of in cholesterol management is where to get his cholesterol tested. Your doctor’s clinic is a good place to have the test. This test involves taking a blood sample. Your doctor will be most reliable in terms of interpreting the test’s results. Other places to consider are health care centers, screenings held in the malls or community, and even right at your home using a home testing device.

It’s also important for you to understand what your numbers mean. While some patients’ numbers scare them, these must be taken as foundation for your reasons to undergo lifestyle changes. Make sure you know which numbers make you critical, safe and basically on the borderline. These should not be explained to you to scare you but to motivate you to adhere to a cholesterol management program.

Cholesterol management also takes into account using diet as your best defense. A lifestyle change which includes a change in your eating habits plus constant physical activity may just spare you from taking in those medications. These medications may be available but are definitely not a substitute for a healthy diet and some exercise. A lot of diet plans are available for different needs. Check with your doctor what diet plans are best for you.

Regular exercise at least 30 minutes daily is highly recommended to raise one’s (HDL) “good” cholesterol and to prevent high blood pressure. The more exercise you do, the better it is for your heart and blood pressure.

There are numerous programs being implemented in cholesterol management but they all have one major goal. It is to help patients monitor and control their cholesterol levels.

Related posts:

1. LDL Cholesterol
2. Basics of Cholesterol Numbers
3. HDL Cholesterol

There are two kinds of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol or known as “good” cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol). LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that builds up in the arteries. HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol carries the fatty deposits in the body to the liver for excretion. Therefore, the higher the HDL cholesterol you have, the better.

Cholesterol is measure by milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Most of the time when your tested for cholesterol level, the total amount of total cholesterol is only given and sometime you are given with the HDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol results. The desirable total cholesterol level is 200mg/dL and the beneficial amount of HDL is more than 40mg/dL.

Triglycerides are another type of fat that flows in the blood stream. They comprise the 95% fat in the body. Triglycerides are carried by a special lipoprotein called “chylomicon”. Having high levels of triglycerides and low density lipoproteins signifies a high risk of having a coronary heart disease. The triglycerides attach themselves on the walls of the arteries and veins, very much like LDL cholesterol, developing a thick plaque that is called as the atherosclerosis.

There are two main cholesterol ratios. These cholesterol ratios are “LDL/HDL” cholesterol ratios and “total cholesterol/HDL” cholesterol ratios. In the latter cholesterol ratios, your cholesterol result is given by the total cholesterol divided by the HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, the desirable amount should be 5:1 below with the optimal amount of 3.5:1 or 3.5 to 1. The LDL/HDL is done by dividing LDL cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. The desirable amount in this ratio should be 3.5 below. The American Heart Association suggested that physicians must use complete numbers for “total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol” in determining the correct treatment.

A normal cholesterol level as recommended by the National Institute of Health:
* total cholesterol – 200mg/dL
* LDL : 100mg/dL
* HDL (man) : 40mg/dL above
* HDL (woman) : 50mg/dL above
* Triglycerides : 150mg/dL

Regular exercise and healthy diet will help you control cholesterol levels.

Related posts:

1. Basics of Cholesterol Numbers
2. LDL Cholesterol
3. HDL Cholesterol

The LDL cholesterol test is advised to let you know your LDL numbers. The test is done using a blood sample usually collected from a vein in the arm. This is a process which called venipuncture. LDL and other lipid profile measurements done at home using home cholesterol test kits requires only about a drop or two of blood samples taken from the fingertip.

The result, regardless where the test was done, is used to determine your risk of having heart disease. While these tests give you the numbers of other kinds of cholesterol in the blood, the LDL cholesterol level is mostly used by health practitioners as basis for treatment options.

LDL cholesterol level can be found out by undergoing a lipoprotein profile. It is basically a cholesterol test that will give results not only regarding your LDL cholesterol level but also the total blood cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol level, and triglyceride level. The profile is highly recommended to individuals above 20 years old or those who have been previously screened and found out to have high cholesterol level.

A high LDL cholesterol level would mean a high risk factor for heart disease. For people with heart disease or diabetes, LDL should be less than 100 mg/dL; for persons with 2 or more other risk factors, LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL; and for individuals with 0 or 1 other risk factor, LDL should be less than 160 mg/dL.

A low HDL (good) cholesterol level, hypertension, family history of heart disease, and smoking makes a person prone to developing heart disease as well. Males who are 45 years or older and females beyond 54 years old are also more prone to developing heart problems.

Knowing your LDL cholesterol level is just a first step. What is more critical is your cholesterol management tactic.

Related posts:

1. Basics of Cholesterol Numbers
2. Cholesterol Management
3. Cholesterol Ratios

The HDL molecule is made up of protein, lipids and cholesterol which sweeps the walls of the arteries to remove cholesterol build up and transports it back to the liver for elimination through the gastrointestinal tract.

Low HDL cholesterol levels still pose great risks for patients, however, some doctors concentrate on letting the patients bring down their total blood cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels, not giving so much attention on the HDL cholesterol level.

So who needs to increase their HDL cholesterol levels? Males whose HDL cholesterol levels are below 40 mg/dL and women whose levels do not reach 50 mg/dL should exert effort in increasing their HDL cholesterol levels regardless if their total blood cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels are within the normal range.

How to increase HDL level

* Losing weight does not only increase your HDL cholesterol levels, it also reduces you bad cholesterol level.
* Exercising is one of the best methods to increase your HDL cholesterol level. Physical activities like walking, jogging, biking, or anything that will increase your heart rate for at least 30 minutes at one time will help raise your HDL level.
* Changing one’s eating routine – It merely advises you to do away with food choices that have high cholesterol content. Substitutes that are as delectable as the foods we are accustomed to are also available.
* Quitting smoking can actually increase your HDL cholesterol levels up to 15% to 20%.

Those are just some examples of how to increase your HDL cholesterol levels. If you still have cholesterol problems, consult your doctor.

Related posts:

1. Basics of Cholesterol Numbers
2. Cholesterol Ratios
3. Cholesterol Management