High Cholesterol: Frequently Asked Questions
1) What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts
of the body and is made by the liver. Cholesterol also is present in foods we
eat. People need cholesterol for the body to function normally. Cholesterol is
present in the cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the
brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.
2) Why Should I Be Concerned About Cholesterol?
Too much cholesterol in your body means that you have an
increased risk of getting cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease. If you
have too much cholesterol in your body, the cholesterol can build up on the
walls of the arteries that carry blood to your heart. This buildup, which occurs
over time, causes less blood and oxygen to get to your heart. This can cause
chest pain and
heart attacks.
3) What's the Difference between "Good" and "Bad" Cholesterol?
HDL (high density
lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as good cholesterol. HDL
takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from building up in
your arteries. LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as bad
cholesterol because it can build up on the walls of your arteries and increase
your chances of getting cardiovascular disease. When being tested for high
cholesterol, you want a high HDL number and a low LDL number.
4) How Much Cholesterol Is Too Much?
Doctors recommend your cholesterol stay below 200. Here is the breakdown:
| Total Cholesterol |
Category |
| Less than 200 |
Desirable |
| 200-239 |
Borderline High |
| 240 and above |
High |
| LDL Cholesterol |
LDL - Cholesterol Category |
| Less than 100 |
Optimal |
| 100-129 |
Near optimal/above optimal |
| 130-159 |
Borderline high |
| 160-189 |
High |
| 190 and above |
Very high |
HDL (good) cholesterol protects against heart disease, so for HDL, higher numbers are better. A level less than 40 is low and is considered a major risk factor because it increases your risk for developing heart disease. HDL levels of 60 or more help to lower your risk for heart disease.
Triglyceride levels that are borderline high (150-199) or high (200 or more) may require treatment in some people.
Next: Can I lower my risk for heart disease if I lower my cholesterol? »
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