Cholesterol: Making Sense of the Numbers

Saturday, 17 September 2011

blood_test Cholesterol is a naturally-occurring compound in the body. It is manufactured by the liver and is important in the the manufacturing of certain hormones and for maintaining the integrity of our cellular membranes.

While cholesterol is needed, it's not always beneficial in the form that we introduce in our body from food. Ideally, we want to increase the good cholesterol and lower the bad. But how much of each is ideal or acceptable?

Keep reading now as I explain what each number stands for and why it's important to keep them in check.

Here are the three types of numbers that figure into your total cholesterol number.

LDL – this stands for “low density lipoprotein.” This form of cholesterol is termed the “bad” type. It is a sticky form that mostly comes from food. Because it is sticky it attaches to blood vessel walls, narrowing the opening through which blood has to pass. This leads to an increase in blood pressure. Numbers: <= 100 is optimal, 100-129 is near optimal, 130-159 is borderline high, 160-189 is high.

HDL – this stands for “high density lipoprotein.” This is the “good” form of cholesterol. It protects the heart against heart disease by keeping the vessel walls clean, preventing LDL plaque from sticking. When it can’t clog up the vessels, there is less chance of developing high blood pressure, vascular disease and stroke. Numbers: < 40 or 50 is low, > 70 is optimal.

Triglycerides – these are not technically a type of cholesterol. Actually they are a type of fat that exists in our food and thus enters our bodies when we eat it. They contribute to the level of unhealthy fats in the body and help the LDL. Their presence has been linked to coronary artery disease. They work with LDL cholesterol to increase the incidence of embolisms that lead to strokes and heart attacks. Therefore it is important to keep an eye on them. Numbers: < 150 is normal level, 150-199 is borderline high, 200-499 is high.

All three numbers figure into your total cholesterol number. It is recommended that the total number be no more than 200 for all three with the HDL being high and the other two being as low as possible.

So, what are your cholesterol numbers?

If you haven't had your cholesterol levels checked in a while or if your "bad" cholesterol number is high, give our office a call to schedule a consultation. High cholesterol can be helped with a heart healthy diet and if necessary medication.

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