Cholesterol Levels: What Numbers Should You Aim For?

It's important to keep your cholesterol levels within healthy limits. But if you have other risk factors for developing heart disease, you need to be even more vigilant — especially with your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol levels.

Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol from LDL carriers can build up on the inside of artery walls, contributing to artery blockages that can lead to heart disease or more specifically; heart attacks. Higher LDL (also referred to as "bad") cholesterol levels simply means you are at a higher risk. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent arteries from becoming clogged and may even help to reverse the plaguing effects of cholesterol. Consequently, higher HDL cholesterol levels generally put you at lower risk.

A blood test to check cholesterol levels — called a lipid panel or lipid profile — typically reports:

• Total cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides, a type of fat often increased by sweets and alcohol

For the most accurate measurements however, don't eat or drink anything (other than water) for nine to 12 hours before the blood sample is taken.

Interpreting the Numbers

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. But what are the optimal levels of these various lipids? Consider these general guidelines.

LDL Targets Differ

Because LDL cholesterol has a major association with heart disease, it's the main focus of cholesterol-lowering treatment. But it's not as simple as the chart may appear. Your target LDL number can vary, depending on your underlying risk of heart disease.

Most people should aim for an LDL level below 130 mg/dL. If you have other risk factors for heart disease, your target LDL may be below 100 mg/dL. If you're at very high risk of heart disease, you may need to aim for an LDL level below 70 mg/dL.

So who's considered very high risk? You might be if you've had a heart attack or if you have diabetes. In addition, two or more of the following risk factors might also place you in the very high risk group:

• Smoking
• High Blood Pressure
• Overweight / Obese
• Low HDL Cholesterol
• Family History of Early Onset Heart Disease (unrelated to lifestyle)
• Age {older than 45 (M), or older than 55 (F)}

Lifestyle Changes

If your LDL cholesterol is too high, the first thing your doctor will probably suggest is lifestyle changes. Eating a more balanced whole natural food based diet along with regular and consistent strength training and cardiovascular exercise can and will  improve your overall cholesterol  values.  Being overweight and inactive tends to increase your LDL cholesterol and lower your HDL cholesterol, which is exactly the opposite of what you want.   These guidelines are especially important for people who have large waist measurements — (more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women) — because people with this body shape (android or apple shape with fat distributed especially around the abdominal region) are more likely to develop heart disease.

Medications May Be Needed

In an effort to address the symptoms associated with high cholesterol and its related effects your doctor may prescribe medications however, pills are not a replacement for proper lifestyle. You will still need to learn how to eat and exercise optimally and then maintain these new habits on a day to day basis for the remainder of your life if you wish to dramatically reduce and/or even prevent any further progression of disease as it relates to your cardiovascular health.

A Hidden Disorder

High cholesterol has no symptoms, however in some cases genetic makeup may cause you to be more prone to cardiovascular disease, even if you already eat optimally and exercise on a regular and consistent basis.   Consequently; it is essential that you have your cholesterol checked at least once every one to three years.  Determining a problem early could allow you to take action before the problem becomes a major threat to your life.

Information provided by the Department of R&D INTRAFITT Inc. / ©INTRAFITT 2002-06. No unauthorized reproduction permitted.