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Cholesterol

Your body needs some cholesterol. But if you have too much, it starts to build up in your arteries. (Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.) This is called hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. It is usually a slow process that gets worse as you get older.

 

Your body needs some cholesterol. But if you have too much, it starts to build up in your arteries.

 

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How Is High Blood Cholesterol Diagnosed?

High blood cholesterol is diagnosed by checking levels of cholesterol in your blood. It is best to have a blood test called a lipoprotein profile to measure your cholesterol levels. You will need to not eat or drink anything (fast) for 9 to 12 hours before taking the test.

 

The lipoprotein profile will give information about your:

 

  • Total cholesterol

 

  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) bad cholesterol: the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries

 

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) good cholesterol: the good cholesterol that helps keep cholesterol from building up in arteries

 

  • Triglycerides: another form of fat in your blood

 

If it is not possible to get a lipoprotein profile done, knowing your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can give you a general idea about your cholesterol levels. Testing for total and HDL cholesterol does not require fasting. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more, or if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, you will need to have a lipoprotein profile done.

 

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. See how your cholesterol numbers compare to the tables below.

 

 

Total Cholesterol Level Total Cholesterol Category
Less than 200 mg/dL Desirable
200–239 mg/dL Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above High

LDL Cholesterol Level LDL Cholesterol Category
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100–129 mg/dL Near optimal/above optimal
130–159 mg/dL Borderline high
160–189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very high

HDL Cholesterol Level HDL Cholesterol Category
Less than 40 mg/dL A major risk factor for heart disease
40–59 mg/dL The higher, the better
60 mg/dL and above Considered protective against heart disease

 

 

Triglycerides can also raise your risk for heart disease. If you have levels that are borderline high (150–199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or more), you may need treatment. Things that can increase triglyceride levels include:

 

  • Overweight
  • Physical inactivity
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Very high carbohydrate diet
  • Certain diseases and drugs
  • Genetic disorders

    A high blood cholesterol level is especially dangerous for smokers and those with high blood pressure. High blood cholesterol, smoking, and high blood pressure are three factors that increase your risk for heart disease.

     

    • If you have one of these risk factors, you double your risk of heart disease.
    • If you have two of these risk factors, your risk for heart disease is four times as high.
    • If you have three of these risk factors, your risk is eight times as high.

    The good news is that lowering your cholesterol level can help reduce your risk for heart disease. For everyone one percent you lower your cholesterol level, you reduce your risk for heart disease by two percent. And lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart attacks even if you already have heart disease.

     

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A high blood cholesterol level is especially dangerous for smokers and those with high blood pressure. High blood cholesterol, smoking, and high blood pressure are three factors that increase your risk for heart disease.