Cholesterol levels are checked by a blood test and a cholesterol level should be a routine test during your annual checkup. If you have high cholesterol your doctor may decide to check it more often. Your cholesterol level should be in the range of 140 to 200 milligrams of cholesterol, per deciliter of blood. People who have high cholesterol are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol levels that are too low can be an indication of health problems such as liver cancer. The type of cholesterol that is found can also make a difference to your health risk. LDL or low density lipoproteins are considered "bad" cholesterol while HDL or high density lipoproteins are considered good cholesterol. Your risk of heart disease will be lower if your HDL accounts for more than 25% of your total cholesterol.
Causes of High Cholesterol
- Cholesterol naturally increases with age
- It is higher in men and post menopause in women
- Family history
- High fat diet
- Sedentary lifestyle (little of no exercise
- High alcohol intake
- Cigarette Smoking
- Diabetes
- Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
High Cholesterol Treatment
High cholesterol can often be treated by:
- Following a low fat, high fiber diet
- Increase exercise
- Control blond sugar levels if diabetic
- Taking medications as ordered to control low thyroid levels
- Quit Smoking
- Limit alcohol intake
SOURCES: NIH Publication No. 05-3290, National Institutes of Health, June 2005
