What Are the Factors That Affect Blood Cholesterol Levels?

Each year, millions of Americans have heart attacks or develop heart disease. One of the main factors that causes these problems is high cholesterol. In order to prevent problems due to high cholesterol, you must know the causes, your cholesterol level and how to treat high cholesterol.

Types of Cholesterol

• Everyone has cholesterol, and it is necessary. There are two types: LDL, which is bad cholesterol, and HDL which is the good cholesterol which everyone needs. These make up total cholesterol.

Significance of Cholesterol Readings

• It is desirable for your total cholesterol reading to be less than 200. Over 240 is considered high. LDL should be under 130, with under 100 desirable. HDL should have a reading between 40 and 60.

Causes of High Cholesterol

• The main causes of high cholesterol are heredity and diet. You can't do much about your family history, but you can change your diet to a low fat regimen. Other factors are a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and overindulgence in alcohol.

Identification of At-Risk Persons

• Many groups are at risk for high cholesterol. People with a family history of heart disease. diabetics, and extremely overweight people are at the greatest risks. Other risks are women over 55, African-Americans, Hispanics, people with high blood pressure and smokers.

Prevention/Solution

• See a doctor and have a cholesterol screening. If your cholesterol is high, he may put you on a diet. In extreme cases, he may also prescribe some type of statin drug to help lower your cholesterol level. Watch your drinking, quit smoking and take a walk.