Why is LDL and HDL important?
HDL helps rid your body of excess cholesterol so it's less likely to end up in your arteries. LDL is called “bad cholesterol” because it takes cholesterol to your arteries, where it can collect in your artery walls. Too much cholesterol in your arteries may lead to a buildup of plaque known as atherosclerosis.
Why would a doctor order a LDL test?
This testing may be ordered as part of an overall evaluation of cardiac risk when you have a personal or family history of early cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially when you don't have typical cardiac risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, high triglyceride, low HDL cholesterol, smoking, ...
Why is my doctor checking my cholesterol?
A cholesterol test can help determine your risk of the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body (atherosclerosis).
Why is it important to monitor your cholesterol?
Getting your cholesterol levels checked is an important part of staying healthy. High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health.
What causes high LDL?
Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.
How do you feel when you have high cholesterol?
You develop symptoms of heart disease, stroke, or atherosclerosis in other blood vessels, such as left-sided chest pain, pressure, or fullness; dizziness; unsteady gait; slurred speech; or pain in the lower legs. Any of these conditions may be linked to high cholesterol, and each requires medical help right away.
What is a healthy cholesterol level by age?
Optimal rangesAge and sexTotal serum cholesterolTriglyceridesall aged 19 years and younger170 mg/dl at mostless than 150 mg/dlfemales aged 20 years and older125–200 mg/dlless than 150 mg/dlmales aged 20 years and older125–200 mg/dlless than 150 mg/dl
How often should high cholesterol be checked?
Who Needs to Get Their Cholesterol Checked? Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. Some people, such as people who have heart disease or diabetes or who have a family history of high cholesterol, need to get their cholesterol checked more often.
Does high cholesterol make you tired?
Can High Cholesterol Make Me Tired? No, high cholesterol doesn't usually cause fatigue, but it can lead to heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease, that do. With this heart condition, excess LDL builds up as plaque in your heart's small arteries, causing them to narrow and stiffen.
What is considered dangerously high cholesterol?
A person is considered at high risk for developing heart disease if their total cholesterol level is higher than 240 mg/dL, LDL levels are higher than 160 mg/dL (190 mg/dL is even higher risk), and if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL.
Which cholesterol number is important?
Your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total should be below 200. Talk with your provider about what your results mean for you and how to manage your cholesterol.
What is a good HDL cholesterol level?
What are optimal levels of HDL cholesterol?At riskDesirableMenLess than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or aboveWomenLess than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L)60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or above
What does it mean when your LDL cholesterol is high?
When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called “plaque.” As your blood vessels build up plaque over time, the insides of the vessels narrow. This narrowing blocks blood flow to and from your heart and other organs.
What should I do if my LDL is high?
AdvertisementReduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol. ... Eliminate trans fats. ... Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. ... Increase soluble fiber. ... Add whey protein.
What is the normal range for LDL?
These are the adult ranges for LDL cholesterol: Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL (This is the goal for people with diabetes or heart disease.) Near optimal: 100 to 129 mg/dL. Borderline high: 130 to 159 mg/dL.
What does elevated LDL mean?
When you have high LDL cholesterol levels, it means you are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease like heart attack and stroke. The plaque formed by this fatty substance on the inner walls of arteries can block or restrict blood flow.