What Are Acceptable Cholesterol Numbers?

Do you think you have cholesterol problems? Well if so a cholesterol test is a very useful thing to undertake and it can tell you if you have or haven't a potential cholesterol problem. The most common test performed is a lipoprotein profile. What does bad cholesterol mean? It means that you have a build up of plaque inside your arteries which causes a blockage inhibiting the flow of blood; this therefore can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other heart related diseases.

It is advisable that when you reach the age of twenty that you have a medical examination which includes a cholesterol test. Understanding the meaning of acceptable cholesterol numbers is very important so that you can take appropriate steps to remedy the possible problems arising from high LDL cholesterol levels.

Keep It Under One Hundred

So what are acceptable cholesterol numbers? Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) refers to cholesterol where the ratio of protein is low while cholesterol contains excess of fat, and the opposite is true of HDL or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore cholesterol numbers which indicate a LDL cholesterol level under hundred means there is nothing to be worried about. Even a level of one hundred and thirty would still be ok in regards to LDL cholesterol.

However, if the level (for LDL cholesterol) goes above one hundred and thirty then action needs to be taken. You also need to look at your HDL levels and if your HDL numbers are more than sixty, you will also be OK since a high HDL is good for you. A reading of under forty (for men) and under fifty (for women) is bad for you and it would mean that you need to get your HDL cholesterol levels back up to the sixty mark. What you are ideally looking for is a total of both that is around the two hundred mark.

When you next visit your doctor ensure that you take with you the results of your tests if the doctor does not have them already. The doctor will then be able to suggest remedies whether it is a change of diet or medication. And don't forget that cholesterol can also be hereditary so any information on your family history and the levels of cholesterol in your family will be useful for your doctor.

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