| What Are Good and Bad Cholesterol Levels? | | | | mg/dl is considered to be borderline high risk. If |
| Most of us understand that our cholesterol level is | | | | you fall into this category, it’s a good idea to |
| important; but many people don’t understand | | | | start thinking about a healthier diet. |
| the importance of good and bad cholesterol. | | | | A level of over 240 mg/dl is considered to be |
| Cholesterol is a substance found naturally in our | | | | high risk; in fact if your level falls within this range, |
| cells and bloodstream that performs several | | | | statistically you have twice the risk of heart |
| necessary functions. But too much of it can lead | | | | disease as a person with a level under 200. If |
| to an increased chance of a stroke or heart | | | | your cholesterol level is over 240, it is dangerously |
| attack. Around 42 million Americans suffer from | | | | high and you should definitely think about making |
| high cholesterol. | | | | some changes in your diet, exercising more and |
| Cholesterol falls into two basic types – good | | | | giving up smoking if applicable. |
| cholesterol, also known as HDL; and bad type, | | | | Levels of this disease can also be determined by |
| also known as LDL. HDL is good because the | | | | just measuring the LDL; in fact, some experts |
| particles actually remove cholesterol from the | | | | advise that it is a better indication than measuring |
| artery walls and dispose of them through the liver. | | | | the different types of cholesterol combined. In |
| However, LDL is bad as it actually deposits | | | | general, the lower a person’s LDL or bad |
| cholesterol on the artery walls, eventually leading | | | | cholesterol, the lower their risk of a heart attack. |
| to a build-up that narrows the arteries. | | | | A healthy level is considered to be under 129 mg |
| A person’s total cholesterol is the sum of | | | | dl; a level of 130 to 189 is high; and a score of |
| their LDL and HDL levels; and just to add to the | | | | 190 or over is too high. |
| confusion, we all also have levels of VLDL (very | | | | Triglyceride is a form of body fat and different |
| low density) and IDL (intermediate density.) | | | | levels of this substance can also help to influence |
| These levels are determined by not only what we | | | | the total. If you have excess triglycerides, you |
| eat, but heredity factors as well – | | | | are probably going to have high levels of bad |
| hypercholesterolemia, in which the liver is unable | | | | cholesterol as well; so it’s even more |
| to adequately remove cholesterol, is a common | | | | important to change your diet and routine. A |
| inherited condition. | | | | healthy level is under 150 mg/dl; high is anywhere |
| Cholesterol levels are generally measured in | | | | from 150 to 499; and over 500 is very high. |
| milligrams per deciliter of blood (usually | | | | Not all cholesterol is bad. But if you haven’t |
| abbreviated as mg/dl). Generally speaking, a level | | | | had yours checked in a while; take the time to |
| below 200 mg/dl is considered to be good; while a | | | | check that your numbers are where they should |
| level that is somewhere between 200 and 239 | | | | be. |