Know Your Numbers: Understanding Cholesterol for Heart Health
A note from Jen Mcpherson, Assistant Public Health Nurse at Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment
Heart Healthy Cholesterol Levels:
- Total cholesterol below 200
- HDL Men: 40-80, Women: 50-80
- LDL below 100 (the lower the better)
What’s your number?
What is cholesterol and why is it important to know your number?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance in your blood. Cholesterol is essential for some bodily functions, but too much can put you at higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol comes from two sources. Blood cholesterol and Dietary cholesterol.
Blood cholesterol is made by your liver. It is used by your body to build cells, make hormones and process vitamins. The other source of cholesterol is dietary cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol comes from food sources made from animal products.
Cholesterol is measured in our bodies by a blood test called a lipid panel. This test measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL as well as triglycerides.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is known as the bad or “lousy” cholesterol. Too much LDL circulating in your blood can lead to a buildup of plaque inside the walls of your arteries (atherosclerosis). If the buildup in the artery walls ruptures, a blood clot can form. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
HDL (high density lipoprotein) is known as the good or “happy” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps to clear LDL cholesterol out of the blood.
The good news is that by making healthy choices such as getting regular exercise and eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and lean proteins you can increase your HDL (Happy cholesterol) which leads to a reduction in your LDL (lousy cholesterol).
Knowing your numbers and making small changes to diet and activity levels can have a big impact in reducing your risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
