english
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 may be a good idea to schedule a consultation 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. Learn the important information you need to know about how cholesterol can affect your heart health and the steps you can take to control your levels.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fatty substance produced in the body. Additionally, consuming animal fat produces cholesterol.
Cholesterol gets a bad rap, but it’s important for your overall health. The body uses cholesterol as an essential ingredient to produce vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol. It also plays an important role in digestion by producing bile, a substance that breaks down fat in food.
Your body needs cholesterol to function normally, but too much of some types can be harmful to your health.
LBD vs. LAD vs. Triglycerides
Cholesterol circulates in the blood and travels throughout the body. Lipoproteins, such as low-density lipoproteins (LDB) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), transport this cholesterol throughout the body. Lipoproteins are a mixture of fats (lipids) and proteins. LBD and LAD have different functions.
- LBD: Known as “bad” cholesterol. Large amounts of LBD may increase the risk of heart problems, such as heart attack or stroke.
- LAD: Known as “good” cholesterol. LAD transports LBD from various parts of the body to the liver, where it is broken down and eliminated. Having more LAD is a good thing because it can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Triglycerides are not actually cholesterol, but a common type of fat that is stored in the body when calories are not used. Although not cholesterol, triglycerides are grouped together with LBD and LAD when examined because they can be a contributing factor to the risk of heart and artery problems.
What do my test results mean?
To check your cholesterol levels, your health care provider will do a blood test called a lipidogram. These include:
- LBD
- young people
- triglycerides
- Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol in your body.
Total cholesterol = LAD + LBD + (triglycerides/5)
Your level may be normal, high threshold, or elevated. Adults at low risk for heart disease should have their cholesterol levels checked every 4 to 6 years. If you have risk factors for heart disease, your health care provider (HCP) may want you to be tested more often.
LBD
LBD levels below 100 mg/dL are within the healthy range.
New guidelines recommend lower LBD levels for people at intermediate or high risk of heart disease. People taking statins or with certain cardiovascular risk factors should talk to their health care provider as goal levels may vary.
Higher levels of LBD may mean you are at risk for plaque buildup and heart disease in the future.
young people
Your age and biological sex determine how high your LAD level should be.
- Under 19: 45 mg/dl or higher
- Men: 40 mg/dl or more
- Women: 50 mg/dl or more
triglycerides
You should try to keep your triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL.
total cholesterol
If your cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dL, you have high cholesterol.
What are the risks of having high cholesterol?
High cholesterol, especially high LDL levels, is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque that can lead to heart disease, including:
- chest pain
- Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease
- heart attack
- cardiovascular accident
You are at risk for heart disease if you:
- Total cholesterol level exceeds 200.
- LAD is less than 50 in women (less than 40 in men).
- There are more than 100 LBDs.
- Triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/dL.
How can I lower my cholesterol levels or prevent them from getting high?
One of the problems with high cholesterol is that you don’t know you have it until you get a blood test to check your levels. High cholesterol may not cause any symptoms until complications arise.
If your blood test shows high 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 reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Statin drugs are usually used first to lower LBD and are the main type of medication for high cholesterol levels.
Lifestyle changes can help prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol levels. 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.
- Exercise regularly, including 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise such as swimming, biking, or walking. Ideally, 5 times a week.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
Checking your cholesterol regularly, practicing healthy habits, and treating high cholesterol levels with medication if necessary are steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease and other heart-related problems.
This educational material was produced with the support of . Merck.
From your site article
Related articles on the web
