Triglycerides Levels
Hdl Increase
Causes Low Hdl
Lower Ldl Cholesteral
List Of Types Of Medications For High Cholesterol
Have A 11 Ratio Of Ldl To Hdl
Cholesterol
HDL LDL
cholesterol levels uk
Cholesterol is transported throughout the body through the bloodstream, encased in proteins, which are called lipoproteins. When you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, you are most likely to have a high concentration of LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, or a low concentration of HDL, which is otherwise known as high-density lipoprotein. It also tends to increase blood sugar and therefore is not suggested to be used by diabetics. The Internet is probably the main culprit of informing people, which is a good thing until someone decides to take action on something read on the Internet without consultation. High-density lipoproteins are actually good, and they help to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Another unit used is milli moles per liter or mmol/L.
what is ldl
This bad and good cholesterol needs to be in a certain balance in order to be healthy. The total cholesterol in blood is the sum of good cholesterol, bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) and a fraction of triglycerides. Nothing could be further from the truth, one can be extremely fit and have high levels of cholesterol. In terms of the ratio of total cholesterol to good cholesterol, 5:1 or less is a healthy level while greater than this is undesirable.
Health risks for heart disease and stroke are greatly increased when cholesterol levels are not maintained within the recommended normal range. High cholesterol levels over time can lead to the thickening and stiffening of arteries from plaque buildup hindering or blocking blood flow to major organs causing life-threatening illness. Along with high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease having consistently high cholesterol levels increase the risks of serious illnesses that much more.
What Are Normal Cholesterol Levels?
The normal level of total cholesterol is considered to be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), while anything 240 or higher is considered high.
The normal level of LDL cholesterol is less than 100 mg/dl. LDL or high-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol is considered too high when it is measured at 160 mg/dl or higher.
The normal level of HDL cholesterol is 60 mg/dl. HDL or high-density lipoprotein (good) cholesterol levels increase risk for heart disease when they fall to 40 mg/dl or less.
Another type of cholesterol that is tested is triglycerides. The normal level of triglycerides is 150 mg/dl or less. Any reading of 200 mg/dl or higher is considered high.
Adjusting Cholesterol Levels To Normal
The first step in reducing overall cholesterol levels to normal is diet and exercise. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in fat and cholesterol can help. Regular and frequent exercise can also help. If you smoke, stop and while helping to control your cholesterol you will improve your overall health too.
Even after adopting these lifestyle changes you may not bring your cholesterol test results into a normal range. Your doctor may decide that taking one of the many cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins might work for you. These drugs may have mild side effects that disappear with continued use. Normal cholesterol levels can be achieved quickly with the use of these drugs.
Other natural or non-drug treatments are available. Holistic approaches to health care can bring positive results with fewer side effects. Your doctor may not have much information about these methods so you may have to do the research yourself. Go to a respected health food store or search the Internet to find natural ways to achieve normal cholesterol levels. Just be very careful not to purchase expensive and unproven dietary supplements that claim to cure high cholesterol. They may contain ingredients that actually do more harm than good.