Cholesterol 101 Basic information about cholesterol, including recommended levels and risks of having high cholesterol Do you know how cholesterol can affect you? No matter your age, high cholesterol level in your blood is linked to an increased risk of health problems. Having high levels of cholesterol as a young adult increases your likelihood of developing heart disease later in life. Although too much of it can be a bad thing, cholesterol is necessary for good health. Learn more about cholesterol and its impact on your body. What is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. It helps your body make hormones, build cells and digest fatty foods. Your liver produces enough cholesterol to support these functions, but cholesterol is also found in most animal food products. Dietary Sources of Cholesterol Meat Seafood Poultry Eggs Dairy Products Dietary Sources of Cholesterol Meat Seafood Poultry Eggs Dairy products Understanding Your Cholesterol Levels HEART-HEALTHYTotal CholesterolUnder 200LDL CholesterolUnder 100HDL Cholesterol60+ AT-RISKTotal Cholesterol200 – 239LDL Cholesterol100 – 159HDL Cholesterol40 – 5950 – 59 DANGEROUS Total Cholesterol240 and higherLDL Cholesterol160 and higherHDL Cholesterol< 40< 50 Knowing your cholesterol levels is an important part of understanding your health. Keeping these levels within a healthy range can lower your risk of heart disease. The only way to check your cholesterol is with a blood test called a lipid panel or profile. You can expect to see the following elements on the results: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) LDL helps distribute necessary cholesterol to cells throughout your body. LDL is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. Aim to keep your LDL under 100. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) Often called “good” cholesterol, HDL helps remove extra cholesterol from your body. Healthy levels of HDL can lower your risk of health problems. Aim to keep your HDL above 60. Triglycerides Triglycerides are fats in your body that store extra energy. Having a high number of triglycerides can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, especially if combined with high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL. Aim to keep your triglyceride levels below 150. What’s So Bad About High Cholesterol? Having high levels of LDL cholesterol, or a total cholesterol level above 200 mg/dL, can lead to heart disease and stroke. Too much cholesterol can damage your arteries, or the blood vessels that deliver blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Plaque buildup from high levels of cholesterol can cause the arteries to become stiff and narrow, which blocks blood flow and increases your risk of a heart attack. How Can I Improve My Cholesterol Level? Your body produces the cholesterol it needs, so it isn’t necessary to get more cholesterol from your meals. Eating foods with saturated and trans fats can lead to high cholesterol. Check out these tips to reduce your cholesterol intake: Eat foods with low amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugars. Examples include lean meats, seafood, low-fat or fat-free cheese and other dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Restrict foods that are high in saturated fat. Examples of foods that are high in saturated fat include cheese and other full-fat dairy products, meats and palm oil. Choose foods that are high in fiber. Examples include oatmeal, beans, nuts and olive oil. Additional ResourcesAmerican Heart Association - “What is Cholesterol?”American Heart Association - “Consequences of High Cholesterol”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Cholesterol Myths and Facts”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Testing for Cholesterol”ReferencesAmerican Heart Association - “What is Cholesterol?”About Cholesterol - “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Preventing High Cholesterol”Cleveland Clinic - “Cholesterol Numbers and What They Mean”Medline Plus - “Cholesterol”Medline Plus - “Triglycerides”National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - “Wake-up call: High blood pressure and cholesterol in young adults associated with later heart disease”
