It is important to have a reasonable understanding of what cholesterol is, what it does, and what it should be like. In understanding the LDL cholesterol guidelines, you increase your chances of being healthier. Hopefully, the following information will benefit you.
What Is Cholesterol?
The information on cholesterol can be confusing. We actually need it in order to keep our cells healthy and to produce hormones. On the other hand, it can also lead to strokes and heart attacks. The higher your cholesterol level, the higher is your risk of developing life threatening diseases. In addition, as we age, being able to control our cholesterol level becomes increasingly difficult. This is one of the reasons why most heart attacks happen in people over 50.
Because cholesterol level is unpredictable, it is important that people get tested regularly. But those tests would be pretty meaningless if you didn't know the LDL cholesterol guidelines. The official recommendation now is that people have a detailed cholesterol blood test once every five years from age 20. This will show them the levels of HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (part of the bad cholesterol). By catching high cholesterol early, people have a bigger chance of making the necessary changes to lower it.
LDL Cholesterol Guidelines:
A full blood test will first point to the level of overall cholesterol. Optimal levels are less than 200 mg/dl. Borderline high is between 200 and 239 mg/dl. If levels are above 240 mg/dl, medical intervention will be required immediately.
Next, it will look at the level of HDL, which is the good type of cholesterol. This is filled with protein and very low on fat. HDL helps the body to get rid of bad cholesterol, clearing the arteries of plaque. This score is said to be the most important of all, and it should be as high as possible. As such, 60 and above is classed as optimal. Between 50 and 60 is good, whereas between 40 and 50 is borderline. If your HDL level is lower than 40, immediate medical attention will be required.
Then, there is the level of LDL, which is the bad cholesterol. LDL is essentially pure fat, building plaque in the arteries. It needs to be as low as possible, therefore, with optimal levels being below 100 mg/dl. Between 100 and 129 is somewhat above average, between 130 and 159 is classed as borderline high. High is between 160 and 189. If the level reaches above 190, medical attention is required immediately.
Triglycerides:
Lastly, there are the triglycerides. These are also fat molecules, and they are bad for you. If you have less than 150 mg/dl, you have nothing to worry about. Between 150 and 199 is classed as borderline high. If your triglyceride levels are higher than 200, you will need immediate medical attention.
As you can see, cholesterol is very complex. 'High cholesterol' usually refers to having high levels of LDLs and triglycerides. Make sure you are tested regularly, and that you take steps to lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol.