Understanding what cholesterol is and why is it important to monitor our cholesterol level is vital to maintain a heart health. There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL (low- density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. High levels of triglycerides are linked to an increased risk in heart disease, especially when combined with low levels of HDL and high levels of LDL.
HDL is commonly known as the “good” cholesterol for its ability to transport cholesterol to our liver to be released from the body. Doing so prevents it from building up in our arteries, reducing the risk of developing heart diseases.
On the other hand, LDL is often the “bad” cholesterol as it transports cholesterol to our arteries. Pilling them on our arteries wall which accumulated overtime may lead to atherosclerosis, increasing risk of heart diseases and stroke.
Cholesterol levels
Some of the key cholesterol numbers to be aware of:
- Total blood cholesterol. This includes your HDL, LDL, and 20 percent of your total triglycerides.
- Triglycerides. This number should be below 150 mg/dL. Triglycerides are a common type of fat. If your triglycerides are high and your LDL is also high or your HDL is low, you’re at risk of developing atherosclerosis.
- HDL. The higher this number, the better. It should be at least higher than 55 mg/dL for females and 45 mg/dL for males.
- LDL. The lower this number, the better. It should be no more than 130 mg/dL if you don’t have heart disease, blood vessel disease, or diabetes. It should be no more than 100 mg/dL if you have any of these conditions or high total cholesterol.
Some Causes of High Cholesterol
- Family history – familial hypercholesterolemia
- Lifestyle factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle
- Diet rich in red meats, saturated fats and processed foods.
- Ageing – liver not being able to process cholesterol levels from the body
In conclusion, maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol is important to prevent risk of developing chronic heart diseases such as stroke and heart attack. This can be achieved by making some lifestyle changes such as having a more balanced and nutritious diet, increase physical activity levels on a regular basis. Medications are usually prescribed by doctors if necessary, but it must be paired with making these lifestyle changes to manage high cholesterol levels effectively.
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https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-cholesterol
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