Understanding Cholesterol and Normal LDL and HDL Levels

Understanding Cholesterol and Normal LDL and HDL Levels

While everyone has heard about cholesterol, it can sometimes be very confusing to truly understand what cholesterol is. Your cholesterol measurement will have a few components. HDL level is one of the components, along with LDL level and triglyceride level. If your levels are either above or below normal, then you are considered at risk. If you find that you are at risk, then there are certain measures that you can take in order to get back to your normal LDL and HDL levels.

When you go to a doctor to get your cholesterol measured, you will receive a report made up of a few different numbers. You will have a measure of your HDL, or your good cholesterol. You will also have a measure of your LDL, or bad cholesterol. The third score on your report will be your triglyceride level. These levels are all measured in a units of milligrams per deciliter (of blood). The numbers from your cholesterol report, along with other factors like your age, blood pressure, smoking habits and family history will help give you a picture of your risk for heart disease.

It is actually good to have a high level of HDL. HDL is the good kind of cholesterol. A normal level for a male would be about forty to fifty miligrams per deciliter. For a woman, normal, healthy numbers are fifty to sixty milligrams per deciliter. An HDL score above sixty milligrams per deciliter can actually help protect against heart disease.

Your LDL, on the other hand, should be a low score. LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol. The lower that you can keep your LDL level, the lower your risk for heart disease is. A low level of LDL is less than one hundred milligrams per deciliter, while an extremely high level will be over one hundred and ninety miligrams per deciliter. The optimal level is in the one hundred to one hundred and twenty nine milligrams per deciliter range. However, the proper level of LDL is a very individual number, so consult your doctor to learn exactly what yours should be.

Along with HDL and LDL, your triglyceride level is important when considering cholesterol. This is essentially a measurement of fat. Overweight or obese people are more commonly subject to high levels of triglycerides. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking are all great ways to maintain your health and lower cholesterol and your risk of heart disease.

To learn more about measuring and maintaining normal HDL and LDL levels, start by looking online. The internet is a great resource for learning all about your options.