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Healthy Cholesterol Level
A healthy cholesterol level can be measured. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Once you know your total cholesterol level, then you need to go further and find out what is your HDL or "good" cholesterol level and the resulting ratio will determine your risk factor and what is the advisable course of action to achieve optimum levels.
Healthy Cholesterol Levels Ratio
A healthy cholesterol level can be measured in a ratio. This ratio determines whether your level is healthy. The American Heart Association recommends that both the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used to give a more accurate risk assessment and decide upon treatment options for patients.
The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be stated as 4:1. The optimum ratio is 3.5:1 and a good rule of thumb is to try to ensure that your ratio is always below 5:1
A Healthy Total Cholesterol Level
The total level of cholesterol in your blood can be measured and placed in one of three categories.
- Desirable (Healthy Cholesterol Level): Less than 200 mg/dL - If your cholesterol level is in the desirable category then, your heart attack risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. However, it is still sensible to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and to make sure you try to do as much physical activity as possible. Every five years you should have your cholesterol level measured. If you are a woman over 55 or a man over 45, you should have it checked more often.
- Borderline high risk (Elevated Cholesterol Level): 200 - 239 mg/dL : If your cholesterol level is in this range, then you should recheck the level in one to two years. The same applies if your HDL level is less than 40 mg/dL and if there are no other risk factors involved. Try to lower your consumption of foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, to try to reduce your blood cholesterol level to below 200 mg/dL. You may need to measure your LDL cholesterol. You should discuss this with your doctor. You may not be at high risk for a heart attack even if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL. Some people, for example women before menopause and young, active men who have no other risk factors — may have high HDL cholesterol and desirable LDL levels. Your doctor can interpret your results. It is different in individual cases and your doctor will take all necessary factors into consideration.
- High risk (High Cholesterol Level): 240 mg/dL and over : If your total cholesterol level is is this high, then your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater. Most people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL. If you fall into this category hen you should go and ask your doctor for advice and take more tests. Around 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.
Healthy LDL Cholesterol Levels
You have a healthy LDL cholesterol level if it is less than
100 mg/dL. Between 100 to 129 mg/dL is considered close to a healthy cholesterol
level, only slightly above. Once the level reaches 130 to 159 mg/dL, that is
borderline high, 160 to 189 mg/dL is high and
190 mg/dL and above is VERY HIGH
The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart disease. Having a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, regular exercise and a weight management program (if you are overweight). There are also drugs available from your doctor to lower LDL cholesterol.
You can lower your risk of heart attack if you measure regularly and try to keep within the guidelines.
Healthy HDL Cholesterol Levels
A healthy HDL cholesterol level can range from 40 to 50 mg/dL in men. In women, the range is between 50 to 60 mg/dL.
You can consider your level to be low if it is less than 40mg/dL and that can put you at high risk for heart disease. If you smoke, are overweight, or quite inactive, then this can contribute to you having a low HDL cholesterol level. So obviously to try to raise it, you need to focus on those areas, excersise more, manage your weight and stop smoking.
If you have high level blood tryglycerides then it is likely you will also have a lower level of HDL cholesterol and be at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. If you take progesterone, anabolic steroids or testosterone, these can also lower the numbers. In women the female sex hormones raise the HDL cholesterol levels.
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