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Dangerous Cholesterol Levels

Your body always carries a certain amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream. While some cholesterol is necessary, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is essential to a healthy heart. Understanding your cholesterol levels can help you understand what you need to do to protect yourself from heart disease.

  1. Screening

    • To check your cholesterol levels, you can request to have your doctor schedule a fasting cholesterol test. You will be required to fast for nine to 12 hours (usually overnight) and then give a blood sample. This will be tested at a lab to determine your HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels.

    Cholesterol Levels

    • The American Heart Association states that a desirable total cholesterol level is below 200. They consider patients whose cholesterol is over 240 to be high risk. HDL is "good" cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, men whose HDL is below 50 and women whose HDL level is below 40 are at a higher risk for heart disease. LDL cholesterol is known as "bad" cholesterol. Dangerous LDL cholesterol levels are above 160; the American Heart Association states the optimal LDL cholesterol level is below 100.

    Causes

    • Cholesterol is produced in your body, but you also get cholesterol from the food you eat. Foods high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can contribute to dangerous cholesterol levels. Smoking and lack of exercise can make your HDL cholesterol level drop below a healthy level. Some people who struggle with dangerous cholesterol levels can control them with proper diet and exercise. Others will have high cholesterol because their bodies make too much. If family members struggle with high cholesterol, you may be at a higher risk, too. Your doctor can help you determine if you may have hereditary high cholesterol.

    Risks

    • Having too much bad cholesterol in your blood can cause plaque to build up in the walls of your arteries. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, this condition, known as coronary heart disease, makes it more difficult for the blood to travel through your body and into your heart. Plaque buildup in your arteries can also increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Fortunately, if you have high cholesterol, it is treatable, and lifestyle changes you can make with the guidance of your doctor can reduce the risk of these serious problems.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Avoid foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat. You can switch from eating red meats to lean meats like chicken and turkey, and drink skim milk instead of whole. Add fiber to your diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Exercise at least 30 minutes three days a week. Stop smoking.
      Some people may still have trouble controlling their cholesterol, even with these changes. If you have high cholesterol even though you are leading a healthy lifestyle, talk to your doctor about using medication to help control your cholesterol.

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