Cholesterol At A Glance

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the liver makes and it occurs naturally in the body and in the foods we eat.We need cholesterol.Too muchcholesterol can build up in our systems and have adverse health effects.

Why is there Good and Bad Cholesterol?

Good cholesterol, also called HDL which stands for high density lipoprotein, works to remove the bad cholesterol from your blood and prevents it from building up in the heart.Bad cholesterol is also called LDL for low density lipoprotein, and is what builds up in your body and can cause heart disease.

What Do These Numbers Mean?

Doctors should test total cholesterol levels starting at age 20 and continuing every five years.They will test for total cholesterol, LDL and HDL.Your total cholesterol should be no higher than 239 mg/dL, and is better below 200 mg/dL.Your bad cholesterol (LDL) should be below 129 mg/dL and no higher than 159 mg/dL.If it is any higher, your doctor will recommend immediate changes in diet and exercise, as well as a cholesterol lowering medication.Good cholesterol, HDL, when tested should be at least 60 mg/dL, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease.

What Happens if I Have Too Much Bad Cholesterol in my Body?

An excess of bad cholesterol causes a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which then causes them to narrow and reduces the amount of blood that reaches your heart and the rest of your body.This can lead to chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, stroke and arterial disease.

How Do I Lower My Cholesterol

Your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol lowering pill.To lower your cholesterol on your own, consume foods with less fat and saturated fat as well as cholesterol.Eat lean meats and low fat or fat free dairy.Increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains like oatmeal, bran and flax.Exercise and stop smoking if you are a smoker.

There are some things you can't control about your cholesterol levels.Men are more likely to have high cholesterol at a young age, but women are more likely to have bad cholesterol after menopause.After age fifty, men and women are equally likely to have high levels of bad cholesterol.High cholesterol also runs in families.If you have a family history of high cholesterol you should have your levels checked regularly.

Source:

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/cholesterol-faq

Photo Credit: redpolkadot

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