The normal cholesterol level
 | Although cholesterol serves many essential roles in keeping our bodies
in good health it receives more attention when it is harmful to our
bodies. It is harmful when there is too much in the body. We produce
about 80% of the cholesterol that is needed by the body naturally in the
liver. The rest is obtained through dietary means. However when too
much cholesterol is consumed through dietary means then the cholesterol
level becomes elevated and this can lead to health problems. Thickening
of the arteries is a common consequence of high cholesterol. This can
lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. So what
is a normal cholesterol level ? This article will give you the facts and
figures according to the American Heart Association and explain what
they mean.
The normal cholesterol level The guidelines set out by the American Heart Association are as follows : Total cholesterol : Less than 200 mg/dl is a desirable outcome (mg/dl stands for milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood). 200 mg/dl to 239mg/dl is deemed to be borderline high risk. 240 mg/dl is considered to by at high risk to heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. Total cholesterol includes both LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is considered to be bad cholesterol because it tends to stick to the wall of the arteries which leads to atherosclerosis and eventually heart disease. The guideline for LDL cholestrol is : Less than 100mg/dl is optimal 100mg/dl to 129 mg/dl is near optimal 130mg/dl to 159mg/dl is borderline high 160mg/dl to 189mg/dl is high 190mg/dl is very high HDL cholesterol is considered to be good cholesterol because it helps transport excess cholesterol back to the liver where it is excreted. The guideline for HDL cholesterol is the higher the better. The threshold is 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women. Any lower than those readings would be considered high risk for heart disease. The key to reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol is to eat a healthy diet of fresh and low fat foods. You should exercise regularly. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise per day. Quit smoking because it lowers the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body. The normal cholesterol level |
