Cholesterol Levels:
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Coronary heart disease is the number killer of men and women in the US and other developed countries. It can lead to…
- Angina – chest pains which can be quite painful.
- Myocardial infarction – heart attack due to irreversible heart muscle damage.
- Congestive heart failure – a condition in which the heart cannot effectively supply the rest of the body with blood.
- Arrhythmia – irregular heart rate which can lead to sudden cardiac death.
- Stroke
What Is Important To Know?
A lipoprotein profile includes…
- Total serum cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
What Do The Numbers Indicate?
Evaluating risk for heart disease is more complicated than looking at charts on cholesterol levels and triglycerides. Proper evaluation requires a consideration of other risk factors for developing heart disease. Your doctor will take these other risk factors into account when setting goals for you. You can, however, use this link to read more on evaluating risk and LDL cholesterol.
For now we will have to content ourselves with more general considerations.
When you receive your lipoprotein test results you will see your cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). The charts below will help you understand what these numbers mean.
Total Cholesterol Levels
Assuming no other risk factors - and your LDL and HDL are within acceptable ranges - your total blood cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. Such a scenario indicates that you have a low risk of developing coronary heart disease and the other chronic conditions that can develop from it.
Total Cholesterol |
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| Below 200 mg/dL | Desirable (lower risk for heart disease) |
| 200-239 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| Above 239 mg/dL | High (more than 2x risk for heart disease) |
If your total cholesterol levels fall within the borderline high range then your doctor will evaluate other risk factors including HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. If these are all within optimal ranges your doctor will most likely recommend lifestyle modifications rather than medication.
If other risk factors are present your doctor may prescribe medication in addition to lifestyle modifications.
HDL Cholesterol Levels
HDL is the good cholesterol. Higher levels of HDL help prevent the development of atherosclerosis and, therefore, coronary heart disease. If you are a man and have HDL levels below 40 mg/dL then you are at higher risk for heart disease. For women the level is 50 mg/dL.
HDL Cholesterol |
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| Below 40 mg/dL | Poor (for men - major risk for heart disease) |
| Below 50 mg/dL | Poor (for women - major risk for heart disease) |
| 40-59 mg/dL | Better |
| Above 59 mg/dL | Best |
HDL cholesterol levels can be increased by medications. Lifestyle modifications can also affect HDL levels. For example…
- Don’t smoke
- Keep off the extra pounds
- Get plenty of exercise
Also, people with high triglycerides usually have lower HDL levels.Triglyceride levels respond well to certain dietary adjustments. Triglycerides can also be lowered by supplementing with Omega-3.
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Of course LDL is the bad cholesterol. LDL levels are considered a better gauge of heart disease risk than total cholesterol. If your LDL is high you are at increased risk for developing heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol |
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| Below 70 mg/dL | Optimal for people at highest risk for heart disease |
| Below 100 mg/dL | Optimal for people at elevated risk for heart disease |
| 100-129 mg/dL | Near optimal |
| 130-159 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 160-189 mg/dL | High |
| Above 189 mg/dL | Very high |
Much research has indicated that it isn’t merely the levels of LDL that promote heart disease. Rather it is the oxidation of LDL cholesterol that promotes coronary heart disease. A diet high in antioxidants, therefore, is an important safeguard against atherosclerosis development.
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Heart Health Note:
Many people supplement with vitamin-E because of its antioxidant properties. However, some research has suggested that under certain conditions vitamin-E can actually promote LDL oxidation. CoQ10 is a much stronger antioxidant for preventing LDL oxidation. And, unlike vitamin-E it has never been shown to promote LD oxidation. CoQ10 has also been shown to reduce risk of congestive heart failure. Read more on CoQ10 and LDL oxidation. Read more on CoQ10 and congestive heart failure. High potency CoQ10 supplement at a good price. |
Triglyceride Levels
As mentioned, triglyceride levels indicate an independent risk factor for heart disease. That means if your cholesterol levels are normal but your triglycerides are high you are still at higher risk for developing heart disease.
And as also mentioned above, people with high triglycerides also tend to have low HDL levels. This presents a double problem. If your triglycerides are high it is important to get them down.
Triglycerides |
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| Below 150 mg/dL | Desirable |
| 150-199 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 200-499 mg/dL | High |
| Above 499 mg/dL | Very high |
For most people, triglycerides respond well to dietary changes. You can learn more about this in the triglycerides section.
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Heart Health Note:
Triglyceride levels respond well to Omega-3 supplementation. This fact has been established by numerous studies. That is why the American Heart Association recommends 2 – 4 grams of Omega-3 per day for anyone with high triglycerides.The AMA also recommends at least 1 gram of Omega-3 per day for anyone with coronary heart disease. Supplementing with Omega-3 is an easy way to support your heart health. But make sure you are getting a top quality product containing EPA and DHA with no mercury or lead. And with no fishy taste. Read more on Omega-3 and Triglycerides. Get a high quality Omega-3 supplement at a very good price. |
Click here to learn more about an all natural cholesterol care supplement.
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