spanish
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, regardless of age. High cholesterol levels can cause plaque to build up in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which can partially block blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body. This may increase your risk of heart disease.
So if it’s been a while since you’ve had your cholesterol tested, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to check your cholesterol levels. And if your cholesterol levels have always been normal, you may find that your cholesterol levels worsen after menopause due to a decrease in estrogen.
High cholesterol levels are common, and women are at slightly higher risk than men. Find out what you need to know about how cholesterol can affect your heart health and what steps you can take to keep your levels in check.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fatty substance made in the body. Cholesterol is also consumed when eating animal fat.
Cholesterol gets a bad rap, but it’s important for your overall health. The body uses cholesterol as a building block to make vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol. It also plays a role in aiding digestion by producing bile, a substance that breaks down fat in food.
Your body needs cholesterol to function properly, but too much of some types can be harmful to your health.
LDL vs. HDL vs. triglycerides
Cholesterol circulates in the blood and travels throughout the body. Lipoproteins, such as low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), are responsible for transporting this cholesterol throughout the body. Lipoproteins are a mixture of fats (lipids) and proteins. LDL and HDL have different roles.
- LDL: High amounts of LDL, known as “bad” cholesterol, can increase your risk of heart problems, such as heart attack or stroke.
- HDL: Known as the “good” cholesterol, HDL carries LDL from the body to the liver where it is broken down and eliminated. Having more HDL is a good thing. It can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Triglycerides are not actually cholesterol. This is a common type of fat that your body stores when you have unused calories. Although not cholesterol, triglycerides are included along with LDL and HDL in tests because they can contribute to the risk of heart and artery problems.
What do my numbers mean?
To check your cholesterol levels, your health care provider will do a blood test called a lipid panel. These include:
- LDL
- HDL
- triglycerides
- Total cholesterol — The total amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Total cholesterol = HDL + LDL + (triglycerides/5)
Your levels are at a healthy level, borderline high or high. Adults at low risk for heart disease should have their cholesterol tested every 4 to 6 years. If you have risk factors for heart disease, your health care provider (HCP) may want to check you more often.
LDL
LDL levels below 100 mg/dL are in the healthy range.
The new guidelines recommend that people at moderate to high risk for heart disease should aim to lower their LDL levels even further. People who are taking statins or have certain cardiovascular risk factors may have different goals and should ask their healthcare provider what their goals are.
Higher LDL levels can increase your risk of plaque buildup and future heart disease.
HDL
Your age and biological sex determine how high your HDL levels should be.
- Under 19: 45 mg/dl or higher
- Men: 40 mg/dl or more
- Women: 50 mg/dl or more
triglycerides
You should aim for triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL.
total cholesterol
High cholesterol refers to a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher.
What are the risks of having high cholesterol?
High cholesterol, especially high LDL cholesterol, is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, which can lead to plaque buildup and health conditions such as:
- chest pain
- Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease
- heart attack
- stroke
You are at risk for heart disease if you:
- Your total cholesterol level is higher than 200.
- HDL less than 50 for women (less than 40 for men)
- LDL is greater than 100.
- Triglyceride levels are higher than 150 mg/dL.
How can I lower my levels or prevent high cholesterol?
One of the problems with having high cholesterol levels is that you won’t know you have them until you get a blood test to check your levels. High cholesterol may not cause any symptoms until complications arise.
If your blood tests show increased levels of LDL, triglycerides, or total cholesterol, you can take steps to lower them or prevent them from getting high.
Starting cholesterol medication may help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Statin drugs are usually tried first to lower LDL and are the main class of drugs for high cholesterol levels.
Making lifestyle changes can help prevent heart disease and lower your risk of heart disease. These include:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes good fats, such as avocados, olive oil, and nuts. Avoid “bad” fats like fried foods, butter, and lard.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- It is recommended that you exercise regularly, including 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise such as swimming, biking, or walking, at least five times a week.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol.
You can lower your risk of heart disease and other heart-related problems by getting your cholesterol tested regularly, living a healthy lifestyle, and treating high cholesterol with medication if necessary.
This training material was created with support from:m Merck.
From your site article
Related articles on the web
