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| What is Cholesterol? | ||
| Cholesterol is a fatty substance transported in the blood by a number of carrier molecules known as lipoproteins. The two main lipoproteins are called LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). The 'good' HDL-cholesterol removes cholesterol from the arteries and is protective in other ways. The 'bad' LDL-cholesterol deposits cholesterol in the arteries as a fatty plaque layer inside blood vessel walls, where it can narrow or block them. Do you have a high cholesterol level? If you are over the age of 18, your blood cholesterol level is considered too high if your reading is above 5.2 mmol/I (200mg/dl). In addition, your 'good' HDL-cholesterol should ideally be over 1.0 mmol/I (39 mg/dl) in men and 1.1 mmol/I (42 mg/dI) in women. The 'bad' LDL-cholesterol should be below 2.0 mmol/I (177 mg/dl). These 'ideal' levels should be lower if you have had a heart attack or bypass. Doctors are particularly worried about your high cholesterol if you also have one or more of the following risk factors for heart disease: |
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Ask your doctor for a cholesterol measurement, including serum total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. |
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