What are cholesterol levels?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:
- LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries
- HDL cholesterol - the "good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries
When you get your cholesterol tested, you will receive a lipid profile that shows your:
- Total cholesterol level
- LDL cholesterol level
- HDL cholesterol level
- Triglycerides level
Ideal cholesterol levels differ based on your risk factors but in general:
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
High cholesterol usually doesn't have any symptoms. But over time, too much LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries. This can slowly narrow and harden your arteries, limiting blood flow. This raises your risk of heart attack and stroke.
How to lower high cholesterol
Making healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way towards lowering high cholesterol:
- Eat heart healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, fish and olive oil
- Limit saturated fats, trans fats, sodium and added sugars
- Reach or maintain a healthy body weight
- Get regular physical activity - aim for at least 30 minutes per day
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Limit alcohol - no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 for men
In some cases, even with lifestyle changes, cholesterol lowering medications may be needed. Types of medications prescribed for high cholesterol include:
- Statins - the most commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering drug
- Bile acid resins - bind with bile acids containing cholesterol
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- PCSK9 inhibitors - for stubbornly high LDL cholesterol
- Niacin
- Fibrates