4 Different Ways To Determine If You've Got Healthy Cholesterol Levels

What exactly are healthy cholesterol levels in your situation? This is a great question since it differs from one individual to another. Researchers and medical professionals have provided us with guidelines to use, but what is "good" for one particular person may not be so palatable for someone else. The thing is it depends on your own risk variables, your history and individuality. All depends on your own attitude towards the issue as much as anything else, because someone who is inclined not to worry too much about the predicament might be at increased risk in comparison to someone that is "on top of it."

When we look at the textbooks, healthy cholesterol levels can be defined as follows.

1. Total cholesterol. It's assessed in different ways in numerous countries and continents around the world, but in the USA in particular a "suitable" total cholesterol level is labeled as lower than 200 mg/dL. This is the level of cholesterol found inside the applicable volume of blood. If your figure is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you are regarded as borderline high and if you are higher than that, it's regarded as high.

2. LDL cholesterol. This, essentially, is what you have to be worried about most. LDL cholesterol has a tendency to give rise to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This is a "gluey" kind of compound that sticks resolutely on the walls and causes a constricting of the arteries. When this happens it's a lot more difficult for the blood to flow and this can cause increased blood pressure. In addition, it can result in a condition known as atherosclerosis and a whole lot worse can result in blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Within the USA, the optimal figure for those who may be at really high risk of cardiovascular disease, as a result of hereditary factors, way of life, weight issues and very poor diets is viewed as under 70 mg/dL. If you are at some risk of cardiovascular disease you need to aim for a reading less than 100 mg/dL. Or else, between 100 and 129 mg/dL is good, but numbers above this could signify a reason for worry in every situation.

3. HDL cholesterol. In cases like this we have to aim for higher levels, instead of lower. For a man, if the figure is below 40 mg/dL it is poor and the number changes to 50 for ladies. In between 50 and 59 is deemed to be far better, with over 60 being viewed as "best."

4. Triglycerides. It's basically fat in the blood stream and may be elevated should you drink a lot of alcoholic beverages or eat too many sweet things. The desired level at this point is below 150 mg/dL. Borderline high is seen as in between 150 and 199, high is between 200 and 499 and really high is above 500.

You have to take each of these four readings together and analyze them to determine what healthy cholesterol levels need to be for you personally. Your doctor is best placed to help you in the light of the risk factors that you might have and also to determine your strategy.


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