Healthy Cholesterol Levels for Good Health

bad cholesterol

If you are an adult over twenty years old it is important to have your cholesterol level checked about every five years to make sure you have what is considered to be a healthy lower cholesterol level. High cholesterol can cause heart disease and is a primary factor in people acquiring hardening of the arteries and causing heart attacks. It is very common these days for people to have their cholesterol levels checked. A lipid profile test perscribed by their doctor would have the patient check their HDL (good cholesterol), the LDL (bad cholesterol), and the triglyceride level.

Healthy Cholesterol Level

Experts believe that if your overall cholesterol level is below 200mg/dl than you have a healthy cholesterol level and are considered to be at low risk for acquiring heart disease. It is difficult for people to achieve a healthy cholesterol level or keep an acceptable  cholesterol level if they eat an unhealthy diet loaded with saturated fats or if they do not get enough exercise.

If your cholesterol test reveals a cholesterol level between 200 and 240 mg/dl you are placed in the category of people who are considered to have a moderate risk of getting heart disease. If your cholesterol test shows a cholesterol level over 240 mg/dl you are placed in the high risk category. If you are considered high risk, then you are twice as likely to acquire heart disease than someone that has a healthy cholesterol level which is under 200 mg/dl.

If due to your high cholesterol level you are considered a high risk patient you should have an exercise plan created for you by an expert, reduce the saturated fat in your diet, eat healthy foods and if you still have a high cholesterol level your doctor might recommend drugs designed to lower cholesterol such as statins.

HDL the Good Cholesterol

To increase your HDL (good cholesterol) level, avoid smoking, get plenty of exercise and obtain a healthy bodyweight and avoid saturated fats. In the average size male, the HDL cholesterol level is between 40 and 50 mg/dl while in women the HDL range is from 50 to 60 mg/dl.

Your LDL (bad cholesterol) level is the best source for determining your risk of having a heart attack or having a stroke. It provides a better indication of your risk for heart disease than a total cholesterol level can provide. A LDL level under 100 mg/dl is preferred. A high level is considered to be 160 to 189 mg/dl, and a borderline high level is considered 130 to 159. Experts consider a very high level to be 190 or higher. In order to avoid heart disease, heart attacks and strokes you should have your bad cholesterol checked to find out if you have a healthy cholesterol level.