Preventative Awareness : Understanding Your Cholesterol Level

Cholesterol is a waxy fat like substance essential for important body functions. Since our bodies only need a small amount of cholesterol to carry out these functions, excess cholesterol in our bodies can cause many problems. Excess Cholesterol can build up on the walls of our arteries causing problems such as Peripheral Artery Disease, Stroke, Angina and Heart Attacks. The most common causes of excess cholesterol are high fat diet, inactivity and obesity. However, increased cholesterol can also be a hereditary issue. Testing Cholesterol levels requires a fasting blood work. If anything other than water is consumed within eight hours of the test, levels may be inaccurate.  Since a total cholesterol level only reflects how much cholesterol is circulating in the blood, providers usually order a Lipid Panel. A Lipid Panel breaks down cholesterol levels into two parts, HDL ("good cholesterol") and LDL (" Bad cholesterol"). It also contains a triglyceride level. A blood glucose level is usually drawn as well to help better evaluate a persons risk factors for heart disease. HDL cholesterol takes cholesterol and other fats from the tissues and organs and carries it back to the liver for processing. The higher the level, the lower the risk for heart disease. LDL cholesterol is produced by the liver and carries cholesterol to the muscles, tissues and organs where it can be deposited causing a build up on vessel walls. Triglycerides are a type of fat that provides the body with energy. Any excess in the body will be stored as fat. Ideally:  Total cholesterol levels should be below 200 mg/ dl HDL cholesterol above 40 mg/dl LDL cholesterol below 130 mg/dl Triglyceride below 150 mg/dl Glucose below  100mg/dl If blood glucose levels exceed 100mg/dl, LDL cholesterol should be below 70mg/dl to lessen the chances of heart disease.