Cholesterol levels - Wellspring Medical

What is Cholesterol Levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:

• LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke
• HDL cholesterol - the "good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries

When getting your cholesterol tested, results typically include:

• Total cholesterol - measures the combination of LDL, HDL, and other cholesterol in your blood
• LDL cholesterol
  • Aim for less than 100 mg/dL or 2.6 mmol/L (optimal)
  • 100-129 mg/dL is near optimal
  • 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high
• HDL cholesterol
  • 60 mg/dL or higher helps lower the risk of heart disease

High cholesterol doesn't cause any outward signs or symptoms, so the only way to know if your levels are high is to get tested. Factors that can increase LDL cholesterol include:

• Diet high in saturated and trans fats
• Being overweight
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Genetic factors

To help lower high cholesterol, focus on:

• Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains
• Exercising for 30 minutes most days
• Losing extra weight
• Quitting smoking
• Taking medications if needed

Checking your cholesterol levels is an important part of taking care of your heart health, especially as you age. Work with your doctor to determine when you should start screening and how often you should be tested based on your risk factors. Visit Wellspring Medical for more information on managing your cholesterol levels.