What is cholesterol levels?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. It travels through your blood attached to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout your body:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - often called "bad" cholesterol because having high levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease and stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - often called "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver so it doesn't build up.
Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart disease. When you get your cholesterol tested, you'll get results for:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides (another form of fat in your blood)
Here are ideal cholesterol level numbers for adults:
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL. The lower your LDL, the better.
- HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries.
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
High cholesterol has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol tested. Your doctor may recommend testing if you have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, like smoking, obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
You can help lower cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications like statins. It's important to work with your doctor to create an individualized cholesterol management plan to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Monitoring your levels over time and following treatment recommendations can help keep your cholesterol at healthy levels!