As part of your regular checkup, it is likely that the
br>doctor will order bloodwork that among other things will
br>measure your levels of total cholesterol and also High
br>Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Should the numbers show outside
br>of the normal range, your doctor may ask for a fasting
br>cholesterol test. For this, you won't eat or drink other
br>than water for twelve hours prior to the test. This test
br>will show your Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and
br>triglyceride levels, in addition to the total cholesterol
br>and HDL.
br>
br>The National Cholesterol Education Program has presented
br>goal cholesterol levels, which are as follows:
br>
br>Total Cholesterol Level (mg/dl)
br>Desirable: Below 200
br>Borderline: 200-239
br>Undesirable: 240 and above
br>
br>LDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
br>Desirable: Below 100
br>Above Average: 100-129
br>Borderline: 130-159
br>Undesirable: 160-189
br>Very Undesirable: 190 and above
br>
br>HDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
br>Desirable: Above 60
br>Borderline: 40-60
br>Undesirable: Below 40
br>
br>Serum Triglycerides (mg/dl)
br>Normal: Below 150
br>Borderline: 150-199
br>Undesirable: 200-499
br>Very Undesirable: 500 or above
br>
br>
br>Some laboratories will calculate the cholesterol ratio
br>(total/HDL), but it is far more important to get the
br>individual numbers for the total cholesterol, HDL and LDL.
br>Notice that lower numbers are desirable for everything
br>except HDL. The high density lipoproteins are known as good
br>cholesterol. If your HDL levels are lower than 40 mg/dl, you
br>can increase them by
br>
br>Quitting smoking
br>Losing weight
br>Getting physically active for at least 30-60 minutes per
br>day.
br>
br>Your cholesterol levels, along with your other risk factors
br>will determine the course of action that your physician will
br>recommend. Some of these risk factors are
br>Obesity
br>Family history
br>Lack of physical activity
br>Age
br>Sex
br>Alcohol consumption
br>Stress
br>Body shape
br>Diabetes
br>Smoking
br>
br>
br>Some of these factors you have no control over, such as age,
br>family history and sex. But you need to take care of
br>business with the others. Quitting smoking is a given.
br>Adding exercise to your daily schedule can help you with
br>multiple factors, including reducing weight, reducing stress
br>and lowering cholesterol levels. Watch your diet by eating
br>less saturated fats and trans fats.
br>
br>Another alternative treatment method is medication. There
br>are many to choose from, prescription and
br>non-prescription, but there may be side effects or they may
br>react unfavorably with other medicines that you are taking.
br>Be sure to check with your physician before trying any of
br>these.
br>
br>Make sure to check with your physician before starting any
br>new diet or exercise regimen.
br>
br>Copyright 2005, K. MacKenzie
br>http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.net
br>
br>[ You have permission to publish this article in your web
br>sites, newsletters, ezines or electronic publications, as
br>long as the complete article is used including the resource
br>box, all links (clickable) and copyright information. ]
About the author:
Ken is a successful writer and online entrepreneur. He has developed http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.netas a portal for presenting articles, information, resources and links about lowering your cholesterol.
