CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
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Cholesterol levels, and what numbers any particular individual should look to achieve, can be somewhat confusing. There is also some disagreement as to what factor the numbers play in regards to one’s health, especially that of the heart.The pharmaceutical industry certainly wants us to believe that it is very important that we keep the numbers within established guidelines. It seems as if they would like us to believe that doing so will keep us from experiencing the ravages of heart disease. NOT ALL HEART ATTACK VICTIMS HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL While it is true that a large number of people with high numbers do succumb to heart disease, it should be noted that some fifty percent of people who expire from heart attacks do not have high cholesterol level numbers. This only indicates that there are other issues that contribute to heart disease and does not imply that one should ignore high cholesterol issues. BAD LDL VERSUS GOOD HDL Now it is not just simply a number that we need to be concerned about. Most often we are aware of what ones total is. But there is “bad” and there is “good” cholesterol. LDL “bad” can accumulate inside the arteries that could cause artery blockage and contribute to heart attacks. HDL “good” works in opposition to the LDL helping to prevent arteries form becoming clogged. Therefore, higher HDL indicates a lower risk and LDL indicates a higher risk for heart disease. CHOLESTEROL GUIDELINES Guidelines exist for total, LDL “bad”, and for HDL “good” cholesterol. It is generally accepted that it is desirable that one’s total be no higher than 200. Readings of 240 or higher are considered to be an indication that total is too high.More importantly perhaps are the numbers for LDL and HDL. Typically, ones LDL should be between 100 and 129. Readings over 160 are said to be high and over 190 very high. The numbers are different for those who are at risk for heart disease.Guidelines would suggest that LDL should be lower than 100. For those who are at high risk for heart disease they should have LDL no higher than 70.While we should attempt to keep our LDL numbers down, we should strive to increase our HDL numbers. The ideal HDL numbers should exceed 60 and for women a number below 50 should result in some action to increase the number. For men, we would take some action if the HDL number drops below 40. OBESITY AND CHOLESTEROL LEVELS If you have some concerns about your levels it is important that you give consideration to being overweight. This can have a very direct result on your levels. LDL levels tend to go up when one is overweight and at the same time lower your HDL cholesterol.Waist measurements are very important. Men should generally not have a waist measurement greater than 40 inches. For women, action should be taken if the waist measures more than 35 inches. Statistically, people with these body shapes typically are at a higher risk for developing heart disease.This site does not, nor would it ever, provide medical advice. |
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HALF OF THOSE WHO DIE FROM HEART ATTACK HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL
THE OTHER HALF DO NOT
High cholesterol is what we talk about when we think of heart disease. Nothing can be more confusing than high cholesterol. Without any doubt at all, the pharmaceutical profession wants us to know that it must be controlled. And, they want you to control it through the use of their expensive medications.
For the most part, we probably do not really understand what cholesterol is and what there is about it that causes heart problems. Statistics show that some fifty percent of people who die from heart attacks have high cholesterol. Therefore, the other fifty percent do not. What is not clear is how many people with high levels do not suffer heart attacks. However, what we do know is that people with high blood pressure are subject to contracting heart failure and a possible heart attack.
FATTY SUBSTANCES
The simplest explanation for high cholesterol is that it is a condition when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. The issue of fatty substances isn’t limited to cholesterol. One also needs to be concerned about the level of “triglycerides” in your body.
Causes almost sound like a broken record. If we do not exercise enough, if we eat too much (especially food high in saturated fats); if we smoke; if drink too much alcohol; if we over medicate; if we have diabetes, etc., etc. than we are at risk of it being too high.
DO NOT IGNORE YOUR
CHOLESTEROL LEVELLike blood pressure, we often can have issues and not be aware of it. Blood testing is the only way to know what your cholesterol levels are. Again, there are many opportunities available in many communities for a blood test. In the larger cities throughout the country many labs will set up at different locations such as supermarkets, drug stores, community centers, etc. We really have no excuse for not finding out about our cholesterol levels.
It is very likely that high levels may cause problems with coronary artery (heart) disease, arterial blockage (atherosclerosis), heart attack or stroke. So, one should not ignore cholesterol levels and need to take remedial action if the levels are out of normal ranges.
TWO TYPES WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS
Now let’s get to the more technical aspect of cholesterol. We have different types of cholesterol in our bodies and all are important to a healthy circulatory system. For the most part we are concerned about high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL).
So, just what are the acceptable ranges? While not all in the medical community are in agreement, the National Institutes of Health reports the following guidelines:
LDL: 70-130 mg/dl (lower numbers are better)
HDL: more than 40-60 mg/dl (higher numbers are better)
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL: les than 200 mg/dl (lower numbers are better)
TRIGLYCERIDES: 10-150 mg/dl (lower numbers are better) Not a cholesterol, but closely associated.
This site does not, nor would it ever, provide medical advice.
For anyone with a medical condition, or using prescribed drugs, consult with your health care provider before making any changes in your treatment procedure.
Information on this site should never be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice.
This site only provides information for those who are interested in a med (drug) free life style. By definition, their health must be in a state where prescription drugs are not required. Any substitution for prescription drugs should only be made after consultation with one’s health care provider.
Should anyone have any doubts as to their need for health care advice, one should seek it out without delay.
THE OTHER HALF DO NOT
High cholesterol is what we talk about when we think of heart disease. Nothing can be more confusing than high cholesterol. Without any doubt at all, the pharmaceutical profession wants us to know that it must be controlled. And, they want you to control it through the use of their expensive medications.
For the most part, we probably do not really understand what cholesterol is and what there is about it that causes heart problems. Statistics show that some fifty percent of people who die from heart attacks have high cholesterol. Therefore, the other fifty percent do not. What is not clear is how many people with high levels do not suffer heart attacks. However, what we do know is that people with high blood pressure are subject to contracting heart failure and a possible heart attack.
FATTY SUBSTANCES
The simplest explanation for high cholesterol is that it is a condition when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. The issue of fatty substances isn’t limited to cholesterol. One also needs to be concerned about the level of “triglycerides” in your body.
Causes almost sound like a broken record. If we do not exercise enough, if we eat too much (especially food high in saturated fats); if we smoke; if drink too much alcohol; if we over medicate; if we have diabetes, etc., etc. than we are at risk of it being too high.
DO NOT IGNORE YOUR
CHOLESTEROL LEVELLike blood pressure, we often can have issues and not be aware of it. Blood testing is the only way to know what your cholesterol levels are. Again, there are many opportunities available in many communities for a blood test. In the larger cities throughout the country many labs will set up at different locations such as supermarkets, drug stores, community centers, etc. We really have no excuse for not finding out about our cholesterol levels.
It is very likely that high levels may cause problems with coronary artery (heart) disease, arterial blockage (atherosclerosis), heart attack or stroke. So, one should not ignore cholesterol levels and need to take remedial action if the levels are out of normal ranges.
TWO TYPES WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS
Now let’s get to the more technical aspect of cholesterol. We have different types of cholesterol in our bodies and all are important to a healthy circulatory system. For the most part we are concerned about high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL).
So, just what are the acceptable ranges? While not all in the medical community are in agreement, the National Institutes of Health reports the following guidelines:
LDL: 70-130 mg/dl (lower numbers are better)
HDL: more than 40-60 mg/dl (higher numbers are better)
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL: les than 200 mg/dl (lower numbers are better)
TRIGLYCERIDES: 10-150 mg/dl (lower numbers are better) Not a cholesterol, but closely associated.
This site does not, nor would it ever, provide medical advice.
For anyone with a medical condition, or using prescribed drugs, consult with your health care provider before making any changes in your treatment procedure.
Information on this site should never be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice.
This site only provides information for those who are interested in a med (drug) free life style. By definition, their health must be in a state where prescription drugs are not required. Any substitution for prescription drugs should only be made after consultation with one’s health care provider.
Should anyone have any doubts as to their need for health care advice, one should seek it out without delay.