Total Cholesterol - What Does it Mean?

Lower Cholesterol Level Presents:

Total Cholesterol - What Does it Mean?
By Matt Morrison

With all of the new information that has been given to us concerning cholesterol over the recent years, it isn't hard to get lost in the fray of HDL, LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol counts. On average, people just don't know what it means anymore, let alone how to calculate it. Even if they figure out how to calculate it, what does any of it mean? Cholesterol is a double-edged sword, and while it is getting constant attention, it needs to be truly understood in order to harness its pros and cons.

Going to your doctor and requesting a simple lipid panel is the best way to get accurate cholesterol results. Be sure to plan your blood work ahead of time, though, as you need to refrain from eating and drinking (besides water) for twelve hours before the exam. Depending on your medical coverage, results should be in within about a week, and they should be sent to your home so that you can do the calculations on your own.

The blood test will contain three categories, HDL cholesterol (this is good cholesterol), LDL cholesterol (this is bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (another form of fat that is found in your blood). Remember, the numbers are measured in mg/dL, which is milligrams per deciliter of blood. At first glance, some things to look at concerning your numbers are as follows: HDL cholesterol should be above 40mg/dL in men, and above 50mg/dL in women. Anything lower than this represents borderline to high risk levels of cholesterol. On the LDL scale, an optimal number is below 100mg/dL, though a healthy amount can be measured all the way up to 130mg/dL. Above 130mg/dL and below 160mg/dL are borderline high risk, and anything above 160mg/dL is considered a high risk amount of LDL cholesterol. Finally are your triglyceride levels. On average, these numbers should be below 150mg/dL. So, on to the calculations.

With these three numbers in hand, the formula to find your total cholesterol is simple. First, you add your LDL and HDL levels. Then, take your triglyceride level, divide it by five, and add it to the sum of your LDL/HDL levels. (i.e. if HDL = 45, LDL = 105 and Triglycerides = 160 the formula should look like this: [45+105] + [160/5] = total cholesterol of 182mg/dL). This number is your total cholesterol level, and the desirable number here is below 200mg/dL, though borderline high risk goes up to 239mg/dL.

With all of the concern focused on having a high total cholesterol, many other factors are often overlooked. Runners tend to have a very high HDL cholesterol count and a very low LDL count as a result of the amount of exercise they do. This affects their total cholesterol, and may still put them in to the borderline zone of total cholesterol, but that doesn't mean that they are high risk. Many doctors are now looking at maintaining a healthy HDL/LDL ratio as opposed to worrying bout total cholesterol. The target here is to keep the ratio of these two cholesterols somewhere above 0.3, while the ideal ratio is 0.4.

To learn how to increase hdl and get your heart disease statistics in check, visit: http://www.decreasecholesterol.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Morrison




Lower Cholesterol Level

HDL Cholesterol Level. LDL Cholesterol Level, Triglyceride level

HDL Cholesterol Level

HDL Cholesterol is the good cholesterol, so the higher the HDL cholesterol level the better. If your HDL Cholesterol level is below 40mg/dl (for men) or below 50mg/dl (for women), then you are in the risk of having a heart attack. In average the HDL cholesterol level should be around 40-50mg/dl (for men) or 50-60 mg/dl (for women). If your HDL cholesterol level is above 60mg/dl, you have some protection against heart attack.

LDL Cholesterol Level

LDL Cholesterol is the bad cholesterol, so the lower the LDL cholesterol level the better. Generally, LDL Cholesterol level devided into these category:

LDL Cholesterol Level
Less than 100 mg/dL	Healthy Cholesterol Level
100 to 129 mg/dL	Normal Cholesterol Level
130 to 159 mg/dL	Borderline Cholesterol Level
160 to 189 mg/dL	High Cholesterol Level
190 mg/dL and above	Very High Cholesterol Level

However, the real risk of heart attack or stroke also depend on your other risks. A healthy LDL cholesterol level for you might not be healthy for anyone else.

Triglyceride level

Triglyceride is basically a form of fat since it has a very low density protein. if you have a high level of total cholesterol level, high LDL cholesterol level and low HDL cholesterol level, it will be a certainty that you have a high level of triglyceride level as well.

Triglyceride level
less than 150 mg/dL	Healthy Triglyceride Level
150–199 mg/dL	Borderline Triglyceride Level
200–499 mg/dL	High Triglyceride Level
500 mg/dL and above	Very High Triglyceride Level

Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol & Triglycerides

CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that can be found in your bloodstream and in all your body cells. Around 75 percent of blood cholesterol is produce by your liver and other cells in your body. The rest 25 percent blood cholesterol is produced by the food that you eats.

LDL CHOLESTEROL

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDLs) or LDL Cholesterol is called Low-Density because it has low amount protein and a lot of fat in its molecule. LDs molecule take cholesterol to where it is needed in the body. Excess LDs that are not used by the body can build up fatty deposits in blood vessels, leading to heart disease. This is why LDLs are known as 'Bad Cholesterol'.

HDL CHOLESTEROL

High-Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) or HDL Cholesterol is called High-Density because it has a high amount protein and low amount of fat in its molecule. HDs molecule take excessive colesterol in your bloodstream to your liver where it is broken down so the body can get rid of it. That is why HDLs are known as 'Good Cholesterol'.

TRIGLYCERIDES

Tryglycerides are carried in your blood as Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL). it's called Very Low Density because most of its molecule contain of Fat almost none of protein. A high tryglyceride level increase the risk of heart disease, although not as much as high cholesterol

TYPES OF FATS

Fat is eaten in three main forms:

* Saturated Fats - Usually from animal product such as dairy products, meats, eggs, poultry, butter and also some oils
* Polyunsaturated Fats - e.g. in some margarines and vegetable oils, some nuts and fish oils
* Monounsaturated Fats - Usually from plants, including some nuts and avocado

Saturated Fats tend to increase you blood cholesterol level. Some unsaturated fats lower the cholesterol level if they are used to replace saturated fats.