Four Tips On How To Tell If You Might Have Healthy Cholesterol Levels

What are healthy cholesterol levels in your case? It's a great question because it is different from one individual to another. Researchers and medical professionals have provided us with suggestions to use, but what is "good" for one person might not be so welcome for someone else. The thing is it depends on your own risk variables, your history and individuality. It depends on your attitude to the issue as much as anything else, because a person that is predisposed not to stress too much about the situation could be at increased risk when compared with someone who is "on top of it."

When we look at the textbooks, healthy cholesterol levels can be explained as follows.

1. Total cholesterol. This is calculated in different ways in numerous countries and continents around the world, but in the USA specifically a "desirable" total cholesterol level is classified as beneath 200 mg/dL. This is the amount of cholesterol found within the appropriate quantity of blood. If the reading is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you are regarded as borderline high and if you are above that, it's regarded as high.

2. LDL cholesterol. This, essentially, is what you need to be worried about most. LDL cholesterol can bring about the escalation of plaque in your arteries. This is a "gluey" sort of substance that sticks resolutely on the walls and causes a constricting of the arteries. At these times it's far more hard for the blood to flow which can result in higher blood pressure. Furthermore, it can cause an ailment referred to as atherosclerosis and even worse can cause blood clots, heart attack or even stroke. In the United States, the perfect figure for individuals who might be at very high risk of cardiovascular disease, because of hereditary factors, way of life, weight issues and very poor eating habits is seen as below 70 mg/dL. If you are at some risk of cardiovascular disease you need to strive for a reading less than 100 mg/dL. Otherwise, between 100 and 129 mg/dL is perfect, but figures above this could signify a reason for worry in each and every scenario.

3. HDL cholesterol. In cases like this we ought to aim for increased levels, instead of lower. For a man, if the figure is below 40 mg/dL this is poor and the figure changes to 50 for females. In between 50 and 59 is considered to be better, with over 60 being viewed as "best."

4. Triglycerides. It is essentially fat in the bloodstream and can be elevated if you drink a lot of alcoholic beverages or eat a lot of sweet things. The desired level at this point is less than 150 mg/dL. Borderline high is seen as in between 150 and 199, high is between 200 and 499 and very high is over 500.

You have to take all of these 4 readings together and evaluate them to determine what healthy cholesterol levels need to be in your case. Your doctor is better placed to counsel you in the light of the risk factors that you may have and to establish your strategy.