What You Need To Know About Cholesterol Numbers?Cholesterol numbers are an indication of your cardiovascular health, and the risk of developing human heart disease. It is critical to have regular test to determine what range your cholesterol levels fall in. Lipoproteins are the method by which cholesterol travels through the blood. LDL (low density lipoproteins) bring cholesterol to the body, while HDL (high density lipoproteins) clean cholesterol from the blood stream. Total cholesterol levels of less than 200 mg/dl would be considered a safe range, and would fall into the normal cholesterol numbers. However, from 200-239 mg/dl, this is the borderline for a high risk cholesterol level. When cholesterol levels are above 240 mg/dl, you risk of coronary heart disease doubles, and your risk of a heart attack or stroke is much greater. Your physician can outline the factors that put you at risk, and he will carefully monitor your LDL cholesterol as this is the main factor in the risk of heart disease. Because LDL can attach to the arterial wall, it is thought to be very dangerous as it creates plaque. Plaque will lead to blockages and will result in a stroke or heart attack. Normal LDL levels are less than 100-129 mg/dl. When looking at the cholesterol numbers, your HDL is also helpful to know. When HDL levels are low, the risk of heart disease increases. Under 40 mg/dl is considered a low HDL cholesterol level. When your doctor finds that your cholesterol levels are imbalances, they will suggest methods to restore healthy cholesterol levels. Put simply, too much LDL is bad for the body because it builds up in the arteries, while more HDL is beneficial as it removes cholesterol from the blood stream. A healthy balance of HDL and LDL is required. The best strategy for bringing these levels back to normal is eating a low fat, low cholesterol diet. Regular exercise, and weight management are also highly recommended. Always use a common sense approach to achieve desirable cholesterol levels. |