GENERAL CARDIOLOGY
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatlike substance found naturally in cells and is necessary for many functions in the body. Although a certain amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream is normal, an elevated level of cholesterol is considered a major risk factor for coronary artery disease and heart attack. It is also a secondary risk factor for stroke.
There are two kinds of cholesterol that can affect your risk of heart disease, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Your cholesterol levels can be measured with a fasting blood test. Your HDL, LDL and total cholesterol, as well as your triglyceride level, can determine your risk of coronary artery disease.
- HDL, also known as the "good cholesterol," helps lower your risk for heart disease by helping your body get rid of extra cholesterol. The higher your HDL level, the better off you are.
- LDL, or "bad cholesterol," tends to accumulate on the inside of blood vessels when the levels are too high. This can lead to the formation of plaques and later narrowing and even blockage of arteries.
The following table, published by the American Heart Association, is a guideline for cholesterol levels. There are certain factors that may alter some of these values.
| Cholesterol Level (mg/dL) |
Low (Desirable) |
Borderline |
High Risk |
| Total Cholesterol |
Less than 200 |
200 - 239 |
240 or higher |
| LDL ("Bad") Cholesterol |
Less than 130 |
130 - 159 |
160 or higher |
| HDL ("Good") Cholesterol |
35 or Higher |
-- |
Less than 35 |
| Triglycerides |
Less that 200 |
200 to 400 |
400 to 1,000 | When evaluating your cholesterol levels, your physician often looks at the types of dietary fat you consume. Dietary fats can be divided into saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Each has different sources and different effects on the amount of cholesterol and fat in your bloodstream.
A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol can lead to increased levels of total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol only comes from animal products, such as meats, egg yolks, dairy products, organ meats, fish and poultry. Saturated fats are also found in animal products, as well as in plant oils such as palm, palm kernel and coconut.
Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats tend to lower blood cholesterol levels when used instead of saturated fats. These types of fat are normally liquid at room temperature and are found in plant oils such as safflower, soy, corn and sunflower. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive, canola and peanut oils.
Triglycerides are another type of fat and are the most common type of fat in the body. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL or high LDL can increase your risk of atherosclerosis and diabetes. High triglyceride levels may be caused by a high alcohol or sugar intake.
High cholesterol has no symptoms and can affect anyone. You should have your total cholesterol checked by your physician once every five years, starting at age 20. If you have other risk factors, you may need to have it checked more often. Consult with your physician on how best to manage your cholesterol levels. |
