Understanding good vs bad cholesterol is important because it gives you an idea whether you have an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke. That’s why your healthcare team checks your cholesterol numbers when you have your blood tested.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol comes from two places. Blood cholesterol comes from the liver which helps to make vitamins and hormones. Dietary cholesterol comes from the food we consume, primarily animals like meat, eggs, cheese, and milk. This can become a problem if it gets too high.
Cholesterol is a type of fat which actually helps your body function in many ways. However, too much of it in your blood can be a problem. If it builds up in your arteries, it can become hardened plaque which disrupts blood flow to parts of the body. This buildup is called atherosclerosis.
If it blocks blood flow to the heart, it can lead to coronary artery disease. - If it blocks blood flow to the brain, it can lead to carotid artery disease.
- If it blocks blood flow to your legs and arms, it can lead to peripheral artery disease.
You really don’t know this is happening until the blockage causes you to have a heart attack or a stroke. In addition, triglycerides are another kind of fat which can contribute to high cholesterol. That’s why it’s essential that you have your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis.
What Are Healthy Cholesterol Levels?
In order to avoid blockages and increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, you must maintain healthy levels of both.
Your LDL is considered your bad cholesterol because this is the type that builds up in your arteries and creates blockages. It should be less than 100.
Your HDL is considered your good cholesterol which helps to remove the bad cholesterol and this should be high. For men it should be greater than 40 and for women greater than 50. HDL carries the bad cholesterol to your liver where it is removed from your body and lowers your risk.
Talk to New Jersey Cardiology Associates about your personal healthy numbers based on your age, sex, and ethnicity.
In order to be heart healthy:
- Your LDL should be under 100 mg/dL
- Your HDL should be higher than 60 mg/dL
- Your total cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL
The levels are measured as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliters of blood. The abbreviation is mg/dL.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Your diet and regular exercise are two ways you can help keep your cholesterol in the safe range.
Some guidelines for heart healthy living include the following:
- Eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats.
- Be more physically active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit smoking.
- Statin therapy medications
You can increase your HDL levels by consuming healthy omega 3 fatty acids like those found in salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, trout, and halibut. The American Heart Association recommends eating 2 servings per week.
Since there are no real symptoms of high cholesterol, you should have blood tests taken at least once a year and more frequently if New Jersey Cardiology Associates recommends. Discuss your cholesterol numbers with your physician and ask what else you can do to improve them.
Schedule an Appointment in West Orange, NJ
Contact New Jersey Cardiology Associates at (973) 731-9442 to schedule your next blood test, discuss your cholesterol levels and any future dietary changes
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