Cholesterol: Information On Cholesterol Levels By Expert Author: Elizabeth McNally \| Article Abstract
Word Count: 483 words \| Views: 289 view(s)

Total cholesterol level can be determined through a simple blood test, and in fact, an at-home test kit is available and can be just as accurate as the standard tests procured in a doctor's office. So how do you know if you're at risk for heart disease or blood clots from cholesterol? The first step is to know your 'number'. In other words, have your cholesterol level checked.

240 mg/dL and over - People with cholesterol levels over 240mg/dL are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke. If your cholesterol level is 240 mg/dL or greater, consult your doctor and follow his/her advice on lowering that level.

200-239 mg/dL - Consult your doctor. Your doctor will be best equipped to interpret the results and test further for LDL andHDL levels.

Less than 200 mg/dL - This is where your cholesterol level should be. Even so, to ensure that you have the right balance - more HDL than LDL cholesterol - you should follow the Guidelines for Healthy Living.

Although these levels are important guidelines, they do not give the whole picture - they are really just rough guidelines. The LDL cholesterol level is a more important indicator of overall cardiovascular health, but having your cholesterol level checked will not necessarily give you your LDL cholesterol number.

LDL Levels

Less then 130 is optimal;
130-159 is borderline, increasing your risk for heart disease;
160 or greater puts you at greater risk for heart disease.

HDL Levels

Less then 40 increases your risk for heart disease;
60 or greater decreases your risk.

Traditional cholesterol testing is a good indicator for assessing heart disease and stroke risk; however, there are many variables that can not be controlled in this traditional testing, such as genes, race, age and past medical history. A person may appear 'heart healthy', at a good weight, fit, and eating a balanced diet, and still have unacceptable cholesterol levels. On the other hand, another person may have acceptable cholesterol levels - even acceptable HDL cholesterol levels - and still be at risk for heart disease. There is still much research to be done on cholesterol and our bodies' manufacture and control of cholesterol levels.

Fortunately, there is another test available, rather than the traditional cholesterol testing, which provides a more in-depth study of cholesterol levels. This is the VAP, or Verticle Auto Profile. This test not only indicates the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, but also provides an analysis of the many subclasses of cholesterol and it offers a more comprehensive indication of who may be at an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, statistics show that the VAP has a 90% detection rate for persons at risk for heart disease, whereas traditional cholesterol testing may miss up to 60% of the patients at risk! Please see the VAP website for more information on the importance of this test, especially for anyone at risk for heart disease, and for information on taking the VAP.

About the Author/Author Bio

Elizabeth McNally is a certified RN and has worked in heath care for the past 30 years. For more information go to http://www.cholesterolinfo.net

Article Source: http://www.yi.articlesphere.com/Article/Cholesterol--Information-On-Cholesterol-Levels/31075

Article Tags: cholesterol, cholesterol levels, lower cholesterol

Article Submitted: 2006-06-02 | This Article has been viewed 289 times.

Related Videos
Play Video Water Intake and Cholesterol Levels	Play Video Will Taking Omega-3s Help My Cholesterol Level	Play Video Understanding your Cholesterol Levels	Play Video Cholesterol Levels and Erectile Dysfunction	Play Video Exercise Your Way to Healthier Cholesterol

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Cholesterol" article category.

People interested in the above article "Cholesterol: Information On Cholesterol Levels" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

Overview of Plant Sterols and Stanols

Plant sterols and stanols are recognized by the FDA and a way to reduce total and LDL cholesterol when consumed daily. Many functional foods and beverages are now available to help consumers meet the 2 grams per day recommendation. Choose wisely and be sure you understand what you are getting.

How to Lower Cholesterol Levels with Your Diet

We all have cholesterol whether we like it or not as it plays an important role in our bodies. However, having high cholesterol is not good and should be lowered. Regardless of how we get it, lowering high cholesterol is always a good idea. We get cholesterol in two ways, through our body and mainly the liver. Every day, our bodies produce amounts of cholesterol that we don't need. Animal foods like eggs, poultry, meat, seafood and milk contain a lot of cholesterol, which add to the levels we produce naturally.

Cholesterol and How to Live Healthy

People with high blood cholesterol levels are very exposed to developing heart disease. High cholesterol levels are common to people with ages over 50, people with weight problems, people with gastro-intestinal disorders and people with diabetes. High blood cholesterol levels can be the result of either overproduction of the substance (due to liver dysfunctions) or the inability of the body to eliminate it. However, apart from physiological factors that enable the accumulation of cholesterol inside the organism, there are also many other external factors that contribute to cholesterol build up: inappropriate diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse.

How to Reduce Cholesterol using Home Remedies

There are two types of blood cholesterol: Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and High-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDLs are bad because they are the ones responsible for deposit of plaque on the arteries walls. Deposit of plaque reduces the diameter of the artery and thereby restricts flow of blood through it. Therefore it can increase the risk of heart disease. HDLs are good because they remove cholesterol from arteries walls and carry it back to the liver to be excreted. Therefore HDLs in the blood can decrease the risk of heart disease.

Read About High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol is a very common diagnosis by doctors nowadays when dealing with patients. Cholesterol has been identified as to increase the risk of heart diseases. But what is Cholesterol at all? Cholesterol is a substance produced by the human liver. The body produces Cholesterol to build up acids that help with the digestion of fat that we eat with our meals.

Lipitor - Common Statin Side Effects

Statins are known currently to be by far the most effective medications for the lowering of high blood cholesterol levels. However this comes with a price. The usage of statins may be accompanied by statin side effects such as muscle damage, liver damage and gastrointestinal symptoms. The degree of damage, however is usually mild and reversible by discontinuation of the drug.

Cholesterol Lowering Diet - Healthy Eating

Cholesterol lowering foods are foods that are low in dietary cholesterol, but also low in saturated fat. Saturated fat is the key because it affects your cholesterol level far more than dietary cholesterol. Saturated fats can produce as much as 4 times more cholesterol in your blood than dietary cholesterol.