Blood Cholesterol Levels | Understand Cholesterol Numbers.

Due to the serious harm that high blood cholesterol levels or cholesterol numbers can cause, it becomes necessary to understand the parameters of cholesterol levels in blood.

How often you should do Test for Cholesterol.

After the age of 20 years, cholesterol test should be carried out every 5 years. After the age of 35 years, you should check your cholesterol every year. This will help in detecting  abnormal cholesterol levels and prompt measures can be taken to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The blood tests for cholesterol comprises of a Lipoprotein profile wherein your blood is checked for:

1. Total Cholesterol Levels.
2. Low Density Lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol levels.
3. High Density Lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol levels.
4. Triglycerides levels.

Understanding these Cholesterol Numbers.

Cholesterol is measured as milligrams per desiliter or mg/dl which is the standard international form of measuring cholesterol. Below is an explanation and a table showing the normal cholesterol levels along with  the undesired cholesterol levels.

1) Total Cholesterol blood levels:

This is measurement of the total cholesterol levels in the blood and includes measurement of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and other lipids in the blood.

• Desirable levels  –   less than 200 mg/dl.
• Borderline high  –  200 to 239      “
• High                     –  above 240      “

2) LDL Cholesterol blood levels:

This is the bad cholesterol which is transported  in the blood from the liver to the various parts of the body to be taken up by body cells. Higher levels of LDL can cause cholesterol to get deposited on the arterial walls causing them to get blocked. The levels of this cholesterol should be low and should not exceed the normal limits as higher levels can cause blockage of the coronary arteries of the heart and can cause heart diseases.

• Optimal             –  Less than 100.
• Near optimal    –  100 to 129.
• Borderline high – 130 to  159.
• High                  –  150 to 189.
• Very High         — above 190.

3) HDL Cholesterol blood levels :

This is the good cholesterol which carries the excess bad cholesterol from the blood to the liver from where it is passed out through the bile into the small intestine for excretion. The higher the levels of HDL, the better it is for your health.

• Optimal               – more than 60 – lower risk of heart disease.
• Low in men        — less than 40 – a risk factor for heart disease.
• Low in women   –  less than 50  -             “

4) Triglycerides levels:

This is the chemical form in which fats exist in the food and your body. With higher levels of blood triglycerides levels, you  are at a greater risk of  having coronary artery disease.

• Normal level       — Less than 150.
• Borderline High — 150 to 199.
• High                    — 200 to 499.

Cholesterol levels Chart or Table.

Action Step:

Check Your Cholesterol Levels. Considering the high risk of increased LDL cholesterol levels to the heart, it is important that you carry out cholesterol test regularly as advised above, to determine your cholesterol numbers. If necessary, only then, measures can then be taken to get normal cholesterol levels.

Related posts:

1. 7 Health Benefits of Cholesterol|Functions of Cholesterol.
2. Cholesterol Ratio.
3. How to Lower Cholesterol with Lifestyle Changes.
4. High Cholesterol Treatment.
5. Cholesterol.
6. Cholesterol Diet.
7. Complications of High Cholesterol.
8. Causes of Cholesterol.