What Does Cholesterol Triglycerides LDL/HDL Mean?

Cholesterol is something your body needs. It looks like wax and it looks like fat, and too much cholesterol can result in heart disease when it clogs the arteries. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat. Since a high cholesterol level is symptom-free, regular testing should be done to make sure your cholesterol level is within a healthy range.

Lipoproteins

• Liproproteins carry cholesterol through the blood, and there are two kinds of lipoproteins. LDL, or low-density lipoproteins, are considered bad because a high level of LDL can cause heart disease. HDL, or high-density liproproteins, are favorable when high.

Cholesterol and Plaque

• When cholesterol clogs arteries, it is recognized as plaque. The narrowing of arteries caused by plaque may result in atherosclerosis.

Causes of High Cholesterol

• Consumption of saturated fats, trans fats (or trans fatty acids), and foods that contain hydrogenated oils may raise your LDL level. Foods such as certain meats, eggs and cheese are also high in cholesterol. Excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, age, sex, and a family history of high cholesterol influences a person's cholesterol level as well.

Triglycerides

• Triglyceride levels may elevate from consuming too much sugar, fruit, milk, bread or alcohol.

Persons at Risk for High Cholesterol

• Men are at risk for high cholesterol after the age of 45, and women are at risk after the age of 55. Others at risk are people who smoke, people who have had a family member die of a heart attack before the age of 55, people with HBP, and people with a high blood sugar level.

Desired Cholesterol Level

• The desired cholesterol level is under 200 mg/dL.