What Can Happen When Too Much Cholesterol Is Carried in the Bloodstream?

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that is essential to proper functioning of the human body. It is produced in the body by the liver, and it is also ingested in the form of animal-based foodstuffs, including meat, fish, dairy products, eggs and cooking oils. You can't live without it, but too much of it can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. People with certain health problems, most notably diabetes, are more susceptible to health problems related to high cholesterol.

What Is Too Much?

• Almost all health professionals today tell their patients that a total cholesterol reading of 200 or lower is desirable. Some are even suggesting a lower figure. Total cholesterol between 200 and 239 is considered borderline high, according to GetTheCholesterolFacts.com, while a total reading of 240 or above is deemed dangerously high. You must learn about the two main types of cholesterol and how each affects the body.

Bad Cholesterol

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called bad cholesterol, is present in some of the foods that Americans---and people around the world---enjoy the most. You're best off, say doctors, if your LDL level is 100 or lower. LDL levels of 101 to 129 are slightly above optimal, while 130 to 159 is borderline high, 160 to 189 is high and anything above 190 is dangerously high. Let LDL get the upper hand, and your risk of heart attack or stroke is increased sharply. Bad cholesterol does its damage by causing a buildup of plaque on the walls of blood vessels, eventually blocking the supply of oxygen-rich blood to sensitve organs.
  If you want to get your levels of LDL down, start by cutting way back---or even eliminating---fast foods, which for the most part are loaded with bad cholesterol. LDL is also found in egg yolks, butter, hydrogenated cooking oils and fatty meats.

Good Cholesterol

• The good guy in the cholesterol family is high-density lipoprotein (HDL), optimal readings of which should be from 40 to 60. Below 40 is too low, while above 60 is high. Good cholesterol is found in monounsaturated cooking oils, whole grains, bran, citrus fruits and foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids. People with low levels of HDL face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Keep your HDL at optimal levels to protect against these devastating---and often fatal--- health conditions.

Triglycerides

• Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are produced in the liver and are also present in many of the foods you eat. If you let your triglycerides get too high---above 150, it may result in allowing your LDL levels to reach an unhealthy number. However, keeping your triglycerides at an optimal level will help keep your good and bad cholesterols in good balance.

Getting It Right

• Many people can keep their cholesterol---good and bad---in a healthy balance by eating more of the foods rich in HDL and minimizing their consumption of those foods that are high in LDL. Unfortunately for some people, their bodies produce an unhealthy level of bad cholesterol, and drug therapy must be prescribed in order to help the body rid itself of excessive cholesterol. Prescription medication is also indicated for those who have been unable to get cholesterol levels in healthy balance through diet alone.