Cholesterol is a combination of steroid and alcohol known as sterol. This sterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues and transported in the blood plasma.
The term "bad cholesterol" also known as LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is thought to have harmful effects in the body. And the "good cholesterol" HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) thought to have good effects.
What does your cholesterol level means?
In order to determine your cholesterol level, a blood sample must be taken and analyze it for your total cholesterol level. Your total cholesterol level can tell if you have high risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases. Your test report will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). There are also some factors to consider like your age, family history, high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol intake.
Desirable Level: Less than 200 mg/dl:
The desirable cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dl. If your LDL and HDL are at the desirable level, this means that have no risk factors for heart disease.
Average - High Risk: 200-239 mg/dl:
If your total cholesterol is between 200-239 mg/dl, your doctor will evaluate your LDL and HDL and also the triglycerides. Depending on your bad cholesterol levels and other risk factors, you may also need medication. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine and also ask your doctor how often you should check your cholesterol level.
High Risk: 240 mg/dl and above:
If you have a cholesterol level of 240 mg/dl and above, you typically have twofold risk of coronary heart disease compared to those people who have desirable level. You may have to change your lifestyle and you should coordinate with your doctor for the prevention and treatment of possible coronary disease.
Too high cholesterol levels
If you have high cholesterol levels, you have a greater chance of getting heart disease and having a heart attack. We all know that heart attack is the top 1 cause of death of adult men and women in the United States.
Too much cholesterol in the blood causes hardening of the arteries. Since blood carries oxygen to the heart, slowing that flow can cause chest pain, and a blockage to part of the heart will cause a heart attack.
Most people do not know that they have high cholesterol level because there are no symptoms for high cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol will reduce your risk of heart disease but too low cholesterol levels can give you higher risk of cancer. So it's better to have cholesterol at the desirable level.
Too low cholesterol levels
If your cholesterol level got too low, you may have a risk of cancer. People who take statin drugs to lower their cholesterol may have a higher risk of cancer. This is according to a meta-analysis of over 41,000 patient records from statin trials. The analysis included records from patients taking statins such as Lipitor and Zocor, but did not include newer statins such as Crestor and Vytorin.
Past studies have found an increased risk of Parkinson's disease among people with extra-low cholesterol. Meanwhile, statin drugs may cause damage to the liver and muscles.
It is important that we know out cholesterol levels for the sake of our health. Have your cholesterol levels checked every five years or as your doctor recommends.
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