High Hdl Cholesterol And Desirable Ldl Levels example essay topic

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's normal to have cholesterol. It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. But too high a level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. It's also a risk factor for stroke.

Hypercholesterolemia is the term for high levels of blood cholesterol. You get cholesterol in two ways. Your body makes some of it, and the rest comes from cholesterol in animal products that you eat, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. Food from plants - like fruits, vegetables and cereals - doesn't have cholesterol. Some foods that don't contain animal products may contain trans-fats, which cause your body to make more cholesterol.

Foods with saturated fats also cause the body to make more cholesterol. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two kinds that you need to know about. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as the 'bad' cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the 'good' cholesterol. Your body makes HDL cholesterol for your protection. It carries cholesterol away from your arteries. Studies suggest that high levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack. What's the Difference Between LDL and HDL Cholesterol? Why LDL cholesterol is considered 'bad'?

When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg / d L is the optimal level.

Less than 130 mg / d L is near optimal for most people. A high LDL level (more than 160 mg / d L or 130 mg / d L or above if you have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is often called 'bad' cholesterol. Why HDL cholesterol is considered 'good'? About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as the 'good' cholesterol because a high level of it seems to protect against heart attack.

(Low HDL cholesterol levels [less than 40 mg / d L] increase the risk for heart disease.) Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup. What is Lp (a) cholesterol? Lp (a) is a genetic variation of plasma LDL. A high level of Lp (a) is an important risk factor for developing fatty deposits in arteries prematurely.

The way an increased Lp (a) contributes to disease isn't understood. The lesions in artery walls contain substances that may interact with Lp (a), leading to the buildup of fatty deposits. The triglyceride connection Triglyceride is a form of fat. It comes from food and is also made in your body. People with high triglycerides often have high total cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol and a low HDL cholesterol level. Many people with heart disease also have high triglyceride levels.

People with diabetes or who are obese are also likely to have high triglycerides. Triglyceride levels of less than 150 mg / d L are normal; levels from 150-199 are borderline high. Levels that are borderline high or high (200 mg / d L to 499 mg / d L) may need treatment in some people. Triglyceride levels of 500 mg / d L or above are very high. Doctors need to treat high triglycerides in people who also have high LDL cholesterol levels. What Are Healthy Levels of Cholesterol?

Your total blood cholesterol level your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories: Desirable - Less than 200 mg / d Borderline high risk - 200-239 mg / d High risk - 240 mg / d L and over Here is some more explanation about each of these categories. Desirable If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg / d L, your heart attack risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. Even with a low risk, it's still smart to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and also get plenty of physical activity. Have your cholesterol levels measured every five years - or more often if you " re a man over 45 or a woman over 55.

Borderline high risk People whose cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg / d L are borderline high risk. About a third of American adults are in this (borderline) group; almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg / d L. Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if: Your total cholesterol is in this range. Your HDL is less than 40 mg / d L. You don't have other risk factors for heart disease. You should also lower your intake of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce your blood cholesterol level to below 200 mg / d L. Your doctor may order another blood test to measure your LDL cholesterol. Ask your doctor to discuss your LDL cholesterol with you.

Even if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg / d L, you may not be at high risk for a heart attack. Some people - such as women before menopause and young, active men who have no other risk factors - may have high HDL cholesterol and desirable LDL levels. Ask your doctor to interpret your results. Everyone's case is different. High risk if your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it's definitely high. Your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater.

In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg / d L have twice the risk of heart attack as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg / d L. You need more tests. Ask your doctor for advice. About 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels. Your LDL cholesterol level greatly affects your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. In fact, it's a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. Your LDL cholesterol will fall into one of these categories: LDL Cholesterol Levels Less than 100 mg / d L Optimal 100 to 129 mg / d L Near Optimal / Above Optimal 130 to 159 mg / d L Borderline High 160 to 189 mg / d L High 190 mg / d L and above Very High The key point to remember is the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, regular exercise and a weight management program if you " re overweight.

If you can't lower your cholesterol with these efforts, medications may also be prescribed to lower your LDL cholesterol. Check these categories and the goals for treatment that can lower your risk of heart attack. LDL level at which to consider drug therapy LDL Level Goal People without coronary heart disease and with fewer than two risk factors 190 mg / d L or higher 160 mg / d L or lower People without coronary heart disease and with two or more risk factors 160 mg / d L or higher 130 mg / d L or lower People with coronary heart disease 130 mg / d L or higher 100 mg / d L or lower In men less than age 35 and premenopausal women with LDL cholesterol levels of 190 to 219 mg / d L, drug therapy should be delayed except in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes. In coronary heart disease patients with LDL cholesterol levels of 100 to 129 mg / d L, the doctor should consider whether to initiate drug treatment in addition to the American Your HDL cholesterol level in the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg / d L. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg / d L. HDL cholesterol that's less than 40 mg / d L is low.

Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise it by: Not smoking Losing weight (or maintaining a healthy weight) Being physically active for at least 30-60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels.

Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels. Cholesterol ratio Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you normally receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg / d L). Knowing your total blood cholesterol level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease.

However, a critical second step knows your HDL or 'good' cholesterol level. Some physicians and cholesterol technicians use the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in place of the total blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used. They " re more useful to the physician than the cholesterol ratio in determining the appropriate treatment for patients.

The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has total cholesterol of 200 mg / d L and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg / d L, the ratio would be stated as 4: 1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5: 1; the optimum ratio is 3.5: 1. Your triglyceride level your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories: Triglyceride Level Classification Less than 150 mg / d L Normal 150-199 mg / d L Borderline-high 200-499 mg / d L High 500 mg / d L or higher Very high Many people with high triglycerides have underlying diseases or genetic disorders. If this is true for you, the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol.

People with high triglycerides may also need to limit their intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45-50 percent of total calories. The reason for this is that carbohydrates raise triglycerides in some people and lower HDL cholesterol. Use products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Cholesterol in Children Compelling evidence shows that the atherosclerotic process (buildup of fatty plaque in arteries) begins in childhood and progresses slowly into adulthood. Then it often leads to coronary heart disease, the major cause of death in the United States. Despite substantial success in reducing deaths from coronary heart disease in the past two decades, this disease is still responsible for more than half a million deaths annually.

About 42 percent of the people discharged from hospitals for coronary heart disease are under age 65. Many of these adults have children who may have coronary heart disease risk factors that need attention. Evidence shows that: Atherosclerosis or its precursors begin in young people. Elevated cholesterol levels early in life may play a role in the development of adult atherosclerosis. Eating patterns and genetics affect blood cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease risk. Lowering levels in children and adolescents may be beneficial.

Cigarette smoking should be discouraged. Regular aerobic exercise should be encouraged. High blood pressure should be identified and treated. Obesity should be avoided or reduced. Diabetes should be diagnosed and treated. Cholesterol levels in children and adolescents 2-19 years old Total cholesterol (mg / d L) Acceptable - less than 170 Borderline - 170-199 High - 200 or greater LDL cholesterol (mg / d L) Acceptable - less than 110 Borderline - 110-129 High - 130 or greater Cholesterol can be both good and bad, so it's important to learn what cholesterol is, how it affects your health and how to manage your blood cholesterol levels.

Understanding the facts about cholesterol will help you take better care of your heart and live a healthier life, reducing your risk for heart attack and stroke. To control your cholesterol, get a cholesterol screening, eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and follow all your healthcare professional's recommendations. You have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, you should have your LDL and HDL cholesterol tested. Close to 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels. Borderline-high risk People whose total cholesterol is 200 to 239 mg / d L have borderline-high cholesterol.

About a third of American adults are in this group, while almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg / d L. In fact, people who have total cholesterol of 240 mg / d L have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg / d L. Have your total and HDL cholesterol rechecked in one to two years if: Your total cholesterol is in the high range. Your HDL is less than 40 mg / d L. You have other risk factors for heart disease. Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to cardiovascular disease - America's No. 1 killer. People whose total cholesterol is 240 mg / d L have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is below 200 mg / d L. Half of all Americans age 20 and older have cholesterol levels that are too high (200 mg / d L or higher). The good news is you can make many lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. To reduce cholesterol in your blood, eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, lose weight if you need to and exercise for a total of at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week.

Some people may also need to take medicine, because changing their diet isn't enough. If you " ve been prescribed medication or advised to make lifestyle changes to help manage your cholesterol, carefully follow your doctor's recommendations. Learn the facts about cholesterol have regular screenings and, if you need to lower your cholesterol level, work with your healthcare professionals to set up a plan. Reduce your risk of heart attack - take responsibility for managing your cholesterol levels. By lowering your blood cholesterol level, you " ll cut your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke! UnderstandingAndControllingCholesterolBy Shelton Davis.