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Managing Cholesterol

Managing Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance, also called a lipid, that's produced by the liver. It's also found in foods high in (glossary term)saturated fat, like fatty meats, egg yolks, shellfish, and whole-milk dairy products. It’s a vital part of the structure and functioning of our cells. However, high levels of cholesterol in your blood may lead to the slow (video)buildup of plaque in the (glossary term)arteries over time, a serious disease called (video)atherosclerosis.

A Closer Look

So how can something your body needs be harmful? Well, not all cholesterol is considered bad. There are actually three main components doctors evaluate when you have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels. They look at (video)LDL (bad) cholesterol, (video)HDL (good) cholesterol, and another substance called (glossary term)triglycerides.

The fact is that cholesterol can be harmful to your health when there’s too much of it in your blood. Whether you have high cholesterol may depend on your lifestyle. Eating a lot of fats and not getting enough exercise can cause cholesterol levels to rise. Cholesterol is also, in part, a result of your genetic makeup. Some people inherit genes associated with high levels of cholesterol. One type is called (glossary term)familial hypercholesterolemia. People with this genetic makeup can eat a healthy diet and exercise, and still have high cholesterol.

Everyone with high cholesterol needs to keep it under control, but it may be even more important for some groups of people, such as

If you fall into any of the categories above, ask your doctor to discuss how your target cholesterol levels may be affected.

What’s Your Cholesterol Goal?

Managing high cholesterol may be different for you depending on your medical history and your health. Your doctor will look at the results of your cholesterol test, also known as a (glossary term)fasting lipid profile, and, using this information along with your medical background, establish a cholesterol goal for you. Always ask what your cholesterol numbers mean, based on your complete health history, so you can work together with your doctor to manage your cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol Guidelines

National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines recommend that all adults over age 20 have a cholesterol test at least once every 5 years. Take a look at the guidelines below to get a better idea of where your cholesterol levels should be.

Total cholesterol level
  • Less than 200 mg/dL
  • 200-239 mg/dL
  • 240 mg/dL or higher
 
  • Desirable
  • Borderline high
  • High
Total cholesterol is based on your LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) counts. Generally, a lower cholesterol level is better.
LDL-C
  • Less than 100 mg/dL
  • 100-129 mg/dL
     
  • 130-159 mg/dL
  • 160-189 mg/dL
  • 190 mg/dL or higher
 
  • Optimal
  • Near optimal/above optimal
  • Borderline high
  • High
  • Very high
LDL-C is considered the “bad” cholesterol because if you have too much LDL-C in your bloodstream, it can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries over time, known as atherosclerosis. Generally a lower LDL cholesterol level is better.
HDL-C
  • 60 mg/dL or higher
  • Less than 40 mg/dL
 
  • High
  • Low
HDL-C is considered the "good" cholesterol because it helps return cholesterol to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body. Generally, a higher HDL cholesterol level is better.

Triglycerides
  • Less than 150 mg/dL
  • 150-199 mg/dL
  • 200-499 mg/dL
  • 500 mg/dL or higher
 
  • Normal
  • Borderline high
  • High
  • Very high
Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are another substance that can be dangerous to your health. Like LDL-C, you want to keep your triglycerides low.

Source: National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)

Depending on your overall health profile — which takes into consideration factors such as cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, a family history of early heart disease, and age (over 45 for men and over 55 for women) — your doctor may recommend that you have your cholesterol levels followed more closely.

It’s important to manage your cholesterol and reach your goals, because if you don’t, your high cholesterol may contribute to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.

>  Learn more about plaque buildup.



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Saturated fat
Saturated fats are usually found in animal products, including fatty meat and dairy products, and are usually solid at room temperature. However, they are also found in some vegetable oils, including coconut and palm oils.
Artery or arteries
Arteries are relatively thick-walled blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. They play a major role in the function of the cardiovascular system.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are another fat produced by the liver and also found in food. Like high cholesterol, they can be dangerous to your health. As a rule, you want to keep your triglycerides low.
Familial hypercholesterolemia
For a small number of people, high cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol levels, are due to genetic variations in LDL receptors — the place where LDL cholesterol enters the cell. This is called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). There are two types, heterozygous FH (in which one receptor on the cell has mutated) and homozygous (the cell has two mutated receptors). In heterozygous FH, total cholesterol levels can run as high as 350-500 mg/dL. In homozygous FH, which is much rarer, total cholesterol levels can reach as high as 700-1,200 mg/dL. People with either type of FH need to manage their cholesterol closely. For those with a parent or a sibling who has been diagnosed with FH or early coronary heart disease (CHD), cholesterol levels should be tested early. LDL-cholesterol-lowering drugs may be recommended by their doctor.
Fasting lipid profile
Also known as a cholesterol test, this is used to determine your levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. You will be asked to fast before you have a test to measure your blood cholesterol level. This means you have nothing to eat or drink — except for water — for 9 to 12 hours before the test.