Understanding cholesterol levels can give you the tools that you need to ensure a healthier lifestyle and better well-being for both you and your family. Unfortunately, most people struggle to recognize the differences that exist between good and bad forms of cholesterol, and what their total cholesterol levels actually mean. Most doctors recommend that individuals obtain a measurement of their cholesterol levels at least once every five years for people over the age of twenty.

If you do undertake a cholesterol test, you should be given a screening procedure that is called a lipid profile. This profile involves taking a sample of your blood and testing it for the presence of various lipoproteins. Experts recommend that women over the age of forty-five and men over the age of thirty-five should generally be tested more often for signs of lipid problems. Your lipid profile will include numbers such as your total cholesterol, your LDL and HDL levels, otherwise known as the bad and good cholesterol, and triglycerides. Triglycerides are fats carried in our blood from the foods that we eat.

What Is LDL, or Bad Cholesterol?

To fully understand the connection and differences between LDL and HDL cholesterol, you'll need to first understand what defines these options as bad and good types of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the form of fatty deposit that can begin to build up within the walls of your blood vessels, thereby increasing your chances of suffering from things like heart disease. The risks associated with LDL cholesterol is what has earned it its name as "bad" cholesterol. Most experts agree that the lower your LDL number is, the healthier you might be. If your LDL is at a range of 190 or more, then your doctor will probably tell you that it is very high. In this case, you may need to begin taking statins, and make some changes to your lifestyle choices at the same time, so that you can start to lower your bad cholesterol level.

In some cases, you may be asked to begin taking statins even though your current level of LDL cholesterol is lower than 190. After figuring out what your ten-year risk regarding cholesterol is, your doctor will give you an insight into the percentage you should try to lower your LDL level by. Usually, these goals are achieved through a combined use of medication exercise, and dietary changes.

What Is HDL Cholesterol and Total Cholesterol?

When measuring your total levels of cholesterol, your doctor will look at both LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as the number of triglycerides in your system. When it comes to understanding HDL cholesterol, or the good cholesterol as it is better known, it's safe to say that a higher number generally means a lower amount of risk. The reason for this is that HDL cholesterol helps to protect your body from things like heart disease by removing the bad cholesterol from your blood and stopping it from building up within arteries and other areas. Exercise can be very good for raising your level of HDL cholesterol.

Overall, your physician will use your total cholesterol level to obtain a better understanding of your current risk for heart disease, and what you can do to protect yourself in the immediate and long-term future.