Testing Cholesterol Levels and Ways to Stay Heathy

To test one's cholesterol levels, doctor's complete a Fasting Lipoprotein Profile. This test measures total cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level, and triglyceride level in the blood stream.



Total Cholesterol Level:
Less than 200 mg/dL = Low risk of cardiovascular disease (good)
200 to 239 mg/dL = Borderline high risk of cardiovascular disease (okay but should work on decreasing level)
240 mg/dL and above = High risk of cardiovascular disease (very bad)

HDL Cholesterol Level:
Less than 40 mg/dL (for men) and less than 50 mg/dL (for woman) = Low HDL Cholesterol (bad)
60 mg/dL and above = High HDL Cholesterol (good)

LDL Cholesterol Level:
Less than 100 mg/dL = Optimal level (very good)
100 to 129 mg/dL = Near or above optimal (good)
130 to 159 mg/dL = Borderline high (okay but should work on decreasing this level)
160 to 189 mg/dL = High (bad)
190 mg/dL and above = Very High (very bad)

Triglyceride Level:
Less than 100 mg/dL = Optimal (very good)
Less than 150 mg/dL = Normal (good)
150 to 199 mg/dL = Borderline High (okay but should work on decreasing this level)
200 to 499 mg/dL = High (bad)
500 mg/dL and above = Very High (very bad)

How can you improve your levels? It's easy! Follow these tip to help:
1. Eat a healthy diet. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats and foods high in cholesterol (the intake of foods high in unsaturated fat, saturated fat, and trans fat can increase cholesterol levels and lead to cardiovascular disease)!
2. Maintain a healthy weight. Make sure to stay in the range of a normal person that is your size!
3. Exercise regularly. It can help you maintain your healthy weight!
4. Don't smoke. It injures blood vessels and speeds up the hardening of artery walls!
5. If you have high cholesterol, treat it! Take medicines in addition to your new lifestyle changes!