Diet To Reduce High Triglycerides
Cholesterol And Triglycerides
What Is A Normal Hdl Number
Is A High Hdl Level Dangerous
Triglyceride Clearance Secretion Diabetes
Cholesterol
HDL LDL
healthy cholesterol levels
However, before consuming alcohol, one must consult a physician in order to prevent any risk of heart diseases, cirrhosis, hypertension etc. Cholesterol is a fat that is produced in our body by the liver, and is a needed component, as it aids in the metabolism process and maintains the healthy routine of the human body. Additionally, there are two types of cholesterol found within the human body.
how to increase hdl
This bad and good cholesterol needs to be in a certain balance in order to be healthy. Men in their thirties and older are in the high risk bracket for high cholesterol; hence, the only way to prevent heart attacks that are directly caused by cholesterol build up is to first know whether it is there or not. According to the cholesterol guidelines, the LDL, which is also known as the bad cholesterol, should never exceed 140 mg/dl, while the HDL, or the good cholesterol, should never fall below 40 mg/dl. The difference between this type of medication and the statin medication is that the cholesterol absorption inhibitors work within the digestive track and not with the liver in absorbing the fatty food. When selecting those items to include on your high cholesterol diet it is best to review the packaging information on products to determine the nutritional facts.
There are a few different names for cholesterol tests such as total cholesterol, lipid tests, lipoprotein test or lipid profile. These tests all do essentially the same thing, which is measure the amount of cholesterol or triglycerides in serums (blood).
Preparing For And Taking A Cholesterol Test
It is advisable to fast for nine to twelve hours before you go to the lab for a cholesterol test. Only water should be ingested during the fasting period because any other substances can possibly affect the test results. For adults, no other preparation is necessary. For infants and children requiring testing, explaining the steps of blood collection will help relieve some anxiety, but infants may still need to be restrained.
A sample of blood is needed to perform a total cholesterol test. For a quick simple test a lancet is used to prick a finger and a small amount of blood is applied to a test strip, slide or other small container. The results for this type of test can take mere minutes.
A more detailed cholesterol test requires more blood so the sample must extracted from a vein using a needle and collected in an airtight vial or syringe. It can take several days to get the results from this type of test.
Total Cholesterol Level Test Results
The results of a cholesterol test will help your doctor decide what treatments, if any, are necessary to reduce your risks of heart disease and stroke. Normal levels of total cholesterol are less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), while 200-239 mg/dl is considered borderline high and any reading 240 mg/dl or higher is considered high.
Cholesterol test results, other than total cholesterol, will give you the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides.
Doctors Orders
Depending on the results of your cholesterol test your doctor may first prescribe that a new diet that is low in fat and cholesterol. Increasing the amount and frequency of regular exercise can also help lower your total cholesterol number. As always, smoking cessation is advised not only to control cholesterol levels but also to improve your health in general.
But if these lifestyle changes do not bring your total cholesterol levels into a normal range, prescription medications may be necessary. These drugs, known as statins, come in a variety of brand names. Your doctor has many choices and will advise you about potential side effects of any he may prescribe.
To truly get your cholesterol numbers under control and reduce your risks of premature heart attack or stroke you must watch your diet, exercise regularly and take your medicines as directed.