When should I worry about cholesterol levels?
If you have high or borderline high cholesterol, you may be wondering how to keep yours low.
Sometimeslifestyle modificationslike getting more exercise or managing stress can effectively improve your numbers.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Other times, a statin or other prescription medication may be needed to get cholesterol at a desirable level.
High cholesterol can harm your health.
This article explains the causes of high cholesterol.
It also discusses how to treat and prevent it.
Your body also has other types of cholesterol in small amounts.
Your healthcare provider can measure yourtotal cholesterol level, as well as individual types.
People at high risk may need to have it checked more often.
Borderline High Cholesterol
A total cholesterol level between 200 mg/dL and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high.
Discuss your options for lowering cholesterol with your healthcare provider.
Also, plan to have follow-ups to see how your cholesterol responds over time.
High Cholesterol
High total cholesterol is any reading over 240 mg/dL.
It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious problems.
High cholesterol can cause hardening of your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
A high total cholesterol level or a high LDL level means a higher risk of heart disease.
In 2021 alone, about 695,000 people died from heart disease.
Diagnosis
A lipid profile test measures several types of cholesterol.
High levels of triglycerides are linked to health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
pop in your test results into the tool below.
High cholesterol can harm young people, as well.
About 1 in every 200 to 500 people have a condition calledfamilial hypercholesterolemia.
This genetic condition can raise cholesterol levels to twice the normal level or even higher.
Treatment
Bringing your cholesterol level into a healthy range is important for heart health.
Health experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Diet
Roughly 80% of the cholesterol in your blood is produced by your liver and intestines.
Statins are the first-line medications used to reduce LDL and triglyceride levels and increase HDL levels.
Statins are the most widely prescribed class of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
They limit the liver’s ability to make cholesterol.
Statins can cause several uncomfortable side effects.
Myalgia is the most common side effect, better known as muscle aches and pains.
Statins can also cause altered liver enzymes and increase the risk of diabetes in some people.
Summary
Your body needs cholesterol to carry out important functions.
A blood test can tell you how high your levels are.
Desirable total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL.
Aim for an LDL level under 100 mg/dL and an HDL level of 40 mg/dL or higher.
Your triglyceride level should be under 150 mg/dL.
Your healthcare provider may recommend medication if these steps aren’t effective enough.
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