Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol Levels:

Lipid Profile: Total Cholesterol|LDL|HDL|Triglycerides|VLDL

Cholesterol levels play an important part in formation of cholesterol plaques with in the arteries which ultimately can lead to heart attacks also know as myocardial infracts and strokes. This is why if you suffer from high cholesterol, your doctor may continuously frown and nag you about making life style changes, eat healthier and take your cholesterol medications. So is cholesterol nothing but a nuisance that is out to kill you? Actually NO. Cholesterol is very important. We need it to make steroid hormones like estrogen and testosterone, in the synthesis of Vitamin D, it is used as an integral part in our cell walls as well as few more functions. You can find all the actions, uses and importance of cholesterol discussed in other parts of this site.

Most people know there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, but when your doctor runs a Lipid Profile also known as a Coronary Risk Profile (A test that measures all the different levels of types of cholesterol also known as lipids) the results and numbers  may not make much sense to you.  First of, what exactly is the a lipid profile and what does it  include? A lipid profile is obtained by drawing blood in the fasting state (usually 9-12 hours) and measuring  levels of:

• HDL,
• LDL
• Triglycerides
• Total Cholesterol

and an extended panel may include:

• VLDL
• non-HDL.

So lets discuss what the normal values should be and on other parts of this site you will be able to understand what each one is and how it is made, transported, stored in you body and what high levels may do in terms of health issues as well as what medications are used to lower and keep them in optimum levels.

The NHLBI (National Heart, Lungs and Blood Institute) has set forth the ATP III ( Adult Treatment Panel III) guideline, outlining through years of research and studies what cholesterol levels are optimal and what are considered to be high, leading to a higher risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Below are the values given by the APT III of each of the components measured in the Lipid Panel and what the range values your Cholesterol Values should fall under to lower the risk of morbidity

Total Cholesterol (mg/dl)

LDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)

HDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)

Triglycerides (mg/dl)

People with a strong family history of high cholesterol may have a genetic predisposition. Some physicians may run genetic test to help them classify which type of Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol In Blood) you have, allowing them to tailor the medication regime and lower your risks of disease.

There has been a particular high interest among doctors and many clinical trials and research has been done, simply because there is a very strong link between high cholesterol and heart disease and stroke. Especially since this is one of the modifiable risks , it is something everyone has the chance to control through diet and exercises and if that is not enough there are plenty of cholesterol lowering medications on the market that can be prescribed by your doctor. But usually the first line of treatment starts with you taking care of your diet and getting plenty of exercise and if that dose not do the trick, then medications an be added as a second line of treatment to help normalize your cholesterol levels.