Cholesterol
... what's important about your health
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft,
waxy substance found among fats circulating in your bloodstream and in all
of your body’s cells. You can get cholesterol in two ways. Your body makes some cholesterol
and the rest comes from animal products you eat such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese, and whole and
2% milk. Cholesterol is not found in foods from plants.
Do we need cholesterol?
Healthy levels of cholesterol are an important part of a healthy body. Your body needs cholesterol to produce cell membranes and certain hormones. Cholesterol plays an important role in other bodily functions as well. Cholesterol can be good or bad, so it’s important to learn what it is, how it affects your health, and how to manage your levels. Unhealthy levels of cholesterol can lead to heart disease or stroke.
What is “good” cholesterol?
The medical term for “good” cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL carries cholesterol away from your arteries and takes it to your liver, where it’s removed from your body. High levels of HDL protect you from heart attacks. HDL levels less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women may increase your risk for heart disease. HDL levels higher than 60 mg/dL may help protect you against heart disease.
What is “bad” cholesterol?
The medical term
for “bad” cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein (LDL). High levels of
“bad” cholesterol in your body can clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and
stroke. That’s the ugly truth. When there is too much bad cholesterol in your body, it can
slowly build up in the walls of the arteries in your heart and brain. Once there, it can combine with other
substances to form plaque, which can narrow your arteries and make them less flexible. This is a medical
condition called atherosclerosis. If a blood clot forms and
blocks an artery narrowed by plaque, you could have a heart attack or stroke. So for good health, keep your
LDL low—below 100 mg/dL.
What is triglyceride?
Triglyceride is a form of fat that’s made in your body. People who have high levels of triglyceride often have a low level of “good” cholesterol and a high level of “bad” cholesterol. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher may increase your risk for heart disease. Many people with heart disease, diabetes or both have high triglyceride levels.
How can I find out my cholesterol levels?
The only accurate way to find out your cholesterol levels is to have blood drawn for a complete blood test. This test should examine your blood for HDL (“good”) cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides. To accurately determine the level of triglycerides, you need to fast for 12 hours before having blood drawn – no food or liquids other than water. All adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years.
Is taking a quick cholesterol screening the same as having a complete blood test?
Not usually. Quick cholesterol tests are becoming commonplace at health fairs and shopping malls. These quick tests may not always be comprehensive, however. It’s usually best to view these quick tests as screenings. That means you should follow them up with a complete blood test if the results indicate unhealthy levels of cholesterol.
How often should I have my cholesterol tested?
Adults should have their cholesterol levels tested at least once every five years. Be aware that, even if your cholesterol levels are unhealthy, you may not feel sick. That’s why it’s important to have your levels checked regularly.
