Almost everybody has heard of cholesterol, but only a few people really understand it. There are also many factors that influence it, which makes understanding LDL cholesterol levels even more complicated. Essentially, what you need to know is that LDL cholesterol is 'bad' and you try to lower its level in order to remain healthy.
Why Should You Lower Your Bad Cholesterol?
The basis of understanding LDL cholesterol levels is that LDL is the type of cholesterol that makes you incredibly unhealthy. In fact, they are so unhealthy that they can cost you your life, albeit indirectly. A build up of high levels of LDL can lead to heart disease, stroke, and various other problems.
HDL or "Good Cholesterol":
On the other hand, there is also HDL , which is the 'good' cholesterol. And then there are triglycerides, which are bad for your health. Today, some physicians even make the distinction of VLDL (very low density lipoprotein), which are the worst ones of them all.
Understanding LDL Cholesterol Levels To Stay Healthy:
Cholesterol is a natural compound created by the liver. It has a place in the body and even provides us with many benefits. However, if your dietary intake leads to an excess of it, it can significantly damage your body. Meanwhile, the good kind of cholesterol ensures that the body is able to create necessary hormones, as well as absorb vitamins. It gives our body energy and it structures all of our cells. This is done by HDL, which carries cholesterol out of our bloodstream and arteries, returning it to the liver. LDL, by contrast, simply lines the arterial walls, building up plaque.
When LDL starts to accumulate plaques, the walls of the arteries become damaged. This obstructs the natural flow of blood. The consequences of this can be severe and even lethal. The heart muscles are placed under extreme strain, blood pressure goes up, arteries thicken and become narrower, and this can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Another danger is that these cholesterol plaques can tear loose from the arterial walls. This then causes the formation of a blood clot, further obstructing the normal flow of blood. At this point, a heart attack or stroke becomes more likely. Men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 are particularly susceptible to this. For children, they can have elevated levels of cholesterol due to hereditary diseases, or if they are overweight.
Cholesterol Readings & Levels:
It is important that you understand cholesterol readings in order to properly look after yourself. Usually, a measurement will provide the overall cholesterol level, which should be lower than 200 mg/dL. Your LDL level, meanwhile, should be below 100 mg/dL. If your reading is higher than that, it is likely that your physician will want you to make certain lifestyle changes. You may also be prescribed statin drugs, which help to reduce the level of cholesterol in your body. These drugs have been so successful that they are one of the most common prescriptions today. However, they should be seen as a short term solution only, with lifestyle changes being vital.