Everyone has heard about cholesterol. But do we really understand what cholesterol is? Cholesterol is made by our bodies, and it is essential for life, so why do we think of cholesterol as being bad? Like many things in life, too much of it can be bad for us.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of your body. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, produce hormones, and synthesize vitamin D. Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by the liver, but you also get cholesterol from certain foods, especially those derived from animals such as meat, dairy, and eggs.
Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream attached to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two main types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad cholesterol,” and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good cholesterol.” LDL can build up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow, while HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood.What Are Healthy Cholesterol Levels?
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important for your heart health. In general, desirable levels for cholesterol and other lipids in adults are:
- Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
- LDL (“bad” cholesterol): Less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL (“good” cholesterol): 40 mg/dL or higher for men, 50 mg/dL or higher for women
- Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
Your doctor may recommend more personalized targets based on your overall health, medical history, family history, and other risk factors.
What Are the Dangers of High Cholesterol?
When there is too much LDL cholesterol in your blood, it can accumulate on the walls of your arteries, forming plaques. Over time, these plaques can narrow your arteries and decrease blood flow, a condition called atherosclerosis. This increases your risk for serious health problems, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
High cholesterol often has no symptoms, so regular screening is important, especially if you have other risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.
How Can You Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels?
The good news is that you can take steps to protect your heart and manage your cholesterol:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins. Limit saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol-rich foods.
- Be physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, each week.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Losing even a small amount of weight can improve your cholesterol numbers.
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive drinking can negatively impact your cholesterol and overall heart health.
- Limit intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates: They can be converted to triglycerides in the body.
- Take medications as prescribed: If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering medication.
Regular check-ups and open communication with your healthcare team can help you keep your cholesterol in a healthy range. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference for your heart – and your overall well-being.
If you have any questions about cholesterol, please log into your account and send us your question. We are here to help.
Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor