The normal cholesterol level
Although cholesterol serves many essential roles in keeping our bodies in good health it receives more attention when it is harmful to our bodies. It is harmful when there is too much in the body. We produce about 80% of the cholesterol that is needed by the body naturally in the liver. The rest is obtained through dietary means. However when too much cholesterol is consumed through dietary means then the cholesterol level becomes elevated and this can lead to health problems. Thickening of the arteries is a common consequence of high cholesterol. This can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. So what is a normal cholesterol level ? This article will give you the facts and figures according to the American Heart Association and explain what they mean.
The normal cholesterol level
The guidelines set out by the American Heart Association are as follows :
Total cholesterol :
Less than 200 mg/dl is a desirable outcome (mg/dl stands for milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood).
200 mg/dl to 239mg/dl is deemed to be borderline high risk.
240 mg/dl is considered to by at high risk to heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
Total cholesterol includes both LDL and HDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is considered to be bad cholesterol because it tends to stick to the wall of the arteries which leads to atherosclerosis and eventually heart disease.
The guideline for LDL cholestrol is :
Less than 100mg/dl is optimal
100mg/dl to 129 mg/dl is near optimal
130mg/dl to 159mg/dl is borderline high
160mg/dl to 189mg/dl is high
190mg/dl is very high
HDL cholesterol is considered to be good cholesterol because it helps transport excess cholesterol back to the liver where it is excreted.
The guideline for HDL cholesterol is the higher the better. The threshold is 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women. Any lower than those readings would be considered high risk for heart disease.
The key to reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol is to eat a healthy diet of fresh and low fat foods. You should exercise regularly. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise per day. Quit smoking because it lowers the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body.
The normal cholesterol level
The normal cholesterol level
The guidelines set out by the American Heart Association are as follows :
Total cholesterol :
Less than 200 mg/dl is a desirable outcome (mg/dl stands for milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood).
200 mg/dl to 239mg/dl is deemed to be borderline high risk.
240 mg/dl is considered to by at high risk to heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
Total cholesterol includes both LDL and HDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is considered to be bad cholesterol because it tends to stick to the wall of the arteries which leads to atherosclerosis and eventually heart disease.
The guideline for LDL cholestrol is :
Less than 100mg/dl is optimal
100mg/dl to 129 mg/dl is near optimal
130mg/dl to 159mg/dl is borderline high
160mg/dl to 189mg/dl is high
190mg/dl is very high
HDL cholesterol is considered to be good cholesterol because it helps transport excess cholesterol back to the liver where it is excreted.
The guideline for HDL cholesterol is the higher the better. The threshold is 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women. Any lower than those readings would be considered high risk for heart disease.
The key to reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol is to eat a healthy diet of fresh and low fat foods. You should exercise regularly. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise per day. Quit smoking because it lowers the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body.
The normal cholesterol level
