What is borderline high cholesterol. How does it affect your health. What steps can you take to lower your cholesterol levels. When should you seek medical intervention for cholesterol management. How often should you get your cholesterol checked.

Understanding Borderline High Cholesterol

Borderline high cholesterol is a condition where your total cholesterol level falls between 200 and 239 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). This range is above normal but not yet in the high category. To fully understand your cholesterol status, doctors consider not just the total cholesterol but also the levels of LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Is borderline high cholesterol common? Indeed, the average American has a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL, which falls right at the beginning of the borderline range. This statistic underscores the importance of regular cholesterol checks and proactive management.

Breaking Down Cholesterol Types

A standard cholesterol test, known as a lipid panel, measures three specific types of fat in your blood:

• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL): Often called “bad cholesterol,” LDL is the main contributor to plaque buildup in arteries.
• High-density lipoproteins (HDL): Known as “good cholesterol,” HDL helps remove LDL from the bloodstream.
• Triglycerides: Another type of fat linked to heart disease, stored in fat cells throughout the body.

The Importance of Cholesterol Testing

Why is cholesterol testing crucial? Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, is essential for various bodily functions. While your liver produces all the cholesterol your body needs, you also consume additional cholesterol from certain foods, particularly those of animal origin. Excess cholesterol can accumulate in artery walls, leading to atherosclerosis – a condition where arteries narrow and harden, impeding blood flow.

How often should you get your cholesterol checked? Health experts recommend a cholesterol blood test every 5 years for adults. However, if you have risk factors for heart disease, your doctor may suggest more frequent testing.

Interpreting Cholesterol Test Results

Understanding your cholesterol test numbers is crucial for assessing your cardiovascular health. Here’s a breakdown of what the numbers mean:

• Total blood cholesterol level:
  • High risk: 240 mg/dL and above
  • Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL
  • Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol levels:
  • 190 mg/dL and above: High risk for heart disease
  • Less than or equal to 189 mg/dL: Treatment strategies depend on other risk factors
• HDL cholesterol:
  • High risk: Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women
  • Optimal: 60 mg/dL or higher

Health Implications of Borderline High Cholesterol

What are the potential consequences of borderline high cholesterol? While not as severe as high cholesterol, borderline levels still pose health risks. Over time, elevated cholesterol can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Can borderline high cholesterol cause symptoms? Unfortunately, high cholesterol itself doesn’t typically cause noticeable symptoms. This is why it’s often referred to as a “silent” condition. In advanced stages of atherosclerosis, however, you may experience angina – severe chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart.

Assessing Cardiovascular Risk

How do doctors evaluate your overall cardiovascular risk? In addition to cholesterol levels, healthcare providers consider other factors such as:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Smoking habits
• Family history of heart disease
• Age and gender

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. This imaging test reveals whether dangerous plaque has accumulated in your heart’s arteries, providing a more comprehensive picture of your heart health.

Lifestyle Modifications to Lower Cholesterol

Can lifestyle changes effectively lower borderline high cholesterol? In many cases, yes. Simple modifications to your daily habits can significantly impact your cholesterol levels. Here are some key strategies:

Dietary Changes

What dietary changes can help lower cholesterol? Consider the following adjustments:

• Reduce saturated and trans fats
• Increase fiber intake
• Consume more omega-3 fatty acids
• Limit dietary cholesterol
• Incorporate plant sterols and stanols

How important is reading food labels? Extremely important. Pay close attention to the nutrition facts panel, particularly the amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Look for foods high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats.

Physical Activity

How does exercise affect cholesterol levels? Regular physical activity can help increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week.

Weight Management

Can losing weight impact cholesterol levels? Absolutely. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can significantly improve your cholesterol profile. Focus on a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise for sustainable weight management.

Smoking Cessation

How does smoking affect cholesterol? Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking can help improve your HDL levels and overall cardiovascular health.

Medical Interventions for Cholesterol Management

When are medications necessary for cholesterol management? If lifestyle changes alone aren’t sufficient to bring your cholesterol levels into a healthy range, your doctor may recommend medication. The most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs are statins, which work by blocking a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol.

Types of Cholesterol-Lowering Medications

What are the different types of cholesterol-lowering medications? Besides statins, other options include:

• Bile acid sequestrants
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
• Injectable medications (PCSK9 inhibitors)
• Fibrates
• Niacin

Your doctor will consider your overall health, potential side effects, and other medications you’re taking when deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Cholesterol Management Plan

How often should you check your cholesterol levels when managing borderline high cholesterol? Your doctor will likely recommend more frequent testing, typically every 3-6 months, to monitor the effectiveness of your lifestyle changes or medication.

What if your cholesterol levels don’t improve? If your initial management plan doesn’t yield the desired results, your healthcare provider may suggest adjusting your approach. This could involve intensifying lifestyle modifications, changing medications, or adding new treatments.

The Importance of Consistency

Why is consistency crucial in cholesterol management? Managing cholesterol is a long-term commitment. Consistency in following your treatment plan – whether it involves lifestyle changes, medication, or both – is key to achieving and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Preventing the Progression to High Cholesterol

Can borderline high cholesterol progress to high cholesterol? Yes, if left unmanaged, borderline high cholesterol can escalate to high cholesterol. This progression increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

How can you prevent this progression? By taking proactive steps to manage your cholesterol levels:

1. Adhere to a heart-healthy diet
2. Engage in regular physical activity
3. Maintain a healthy weight
4. Quit smoking
5. Limit alcohol consumption
6. Manage stress effectively
7. Take medications as prescribed, if applicable

The Role of Regular Check-ups

Why are regular check-ups important in cholesterol management? Routine medical check-ups allow your healthcare provider to monitor your cholesterol levels, assess your overall cardiovascular health, and make timely adjustments to your management plan if needed.

Understanding the Broader Context of Cardiovascular Health

Is managing cholesterol enough to ensure heart health? While cholesterol management is crucial, it’s important to consider your overall cardiovascular health. Other factors that contribute to heart disease risk include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Chronic stress
• Poor diet

How can you address these factors? A comprehensive approach to heart health involves managing all these risk factors through lifestyle modifications and medical interventions as needed.

The Heart-Health Connection

How are cholesterol levels and heart health connected? High cholesterol, particularly high LDL cholesterol, contributes to the formation of plaque in your arteries. This plaque buildup can lead to atherosclerosis, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Can improving your cholesterol profile enhance overall heart health? Absolutely. By managing your cholesterol levels, you’re taking a significant step towards reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and improving your overall heart health.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Cholesterol Management

What new developments are on the horizon for cholesterol management? Ongoing research is exploring new treatments and refining our understanding of cholesterol’s role in heart health. Some areas of focus include:

• Gene therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia
• Novel drug targets for cholesterol reduction
• Personalized medicine approaches based on genetic profiles
• The role of inflammation in cholesterol metabolism and heart disease

How might these developments impact future cholesterol management? As our understanding of cholesterol and cardiovascular health evolves, we may see more targeted and effective treatments, as well as improved strategies for prevention and early intervention.

The Importance of Staying Informed

Why is it crucial to stay updated on cholesterol management research? Keeping abreast of the latest developments can help you make informed decisions about your health and engage in meaningful discussions with your healthcare provider about the best management strategies for your specific situation.

Remember, while borderline high cholesterol is a concern, it’s also an opportunity to take control of your health. By understanding your cholesterol levels, making necessary lifestyle changes, and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can effectively manage your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Stay proactive, stay informed, and prioritize your heart health for a healthier future.

What It Is and What to Do About It

Written by Jodi Helmer

• Cholesterol Tests
• Make Changes in the Kitchen
• Read Food Labels
• Get Moving
• Lose Extra Weight
• Quit Smoking
• Check to See What’s Working
• More

Has your doctor told you that you have “borderline” high cholesterol? That means your cholesterol level is above normal but not quite in the “high” range.

You have borderline high cholesterol if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Your doctor will also consider other things, like how much of your total cholesterol is LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and how much of it is HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Making simple changes in your lifestyle is often enough to bring borderline cholesterol levels down to the normal range. Some people may also need to take medicine for it. And keep in mind that other things, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking, also affect your heart health; it’s not just about cholesterol.

If you have borderline cholesterol, your doctor will decide whether you need treatment by looking at these and other risk factors for heart disease. They may ask you to get an imaging test of your heart called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. This test reveals whether dangerous plaque has built up in your heart’s arteries.

You won’t know you have borderline cholesterol unless you get a cholesterol blood test. You should do that every 5 years.

The average American has a total cholesterol level of 200, which is in the borderline range.

You can turn it around before you get high cholesterol. Start with these steps.

Why Do I Need a Cholesterol Test?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you take in more cholesterol from certain foods, such as those from animals. If you have too much cholesterol in your body, it can build up in the walls of your arteries (as “plaque”) and eventually harden. This process, called atherosclerosis, actually narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to travel through them. 

Unfortunately, high cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms. In later stages of atherosclerosis, though, you may have angina – severe chest pain from lack of blood flow to the heart. If an artery gets totally blocked, a heart attack results. A routine blood cholesterol test is a far better way of finding out what your cholesterol level is.

What Does a Cholesterol Test Measure?

In addition to measuring the total cholesterol in your blood, the standard cholesterol test (called a “lipid panel”) measures three specific kinds of fat:

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This is the “bad cholesterol,” the main cause of plaque buildup, which increases your risk of heart disease. In general, the lower the number, the better. But LDL cholesterol is only one part of a larger equation that measures a person’s overall risk of having a heart attack or stroke.  

For years, guidelines focused on specific target numbers for people to achieve to lower their risk. The most recent guidelines focus on a person’s overall risk and, based on that risk, recommend a certain percentage of LDL reduction as one part of a way to prevent serious heart and blood vessel problems.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL). This is the “good cholesterol.” It transports bad cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it is excreted by the body. Your HDL is another part of the equation that identifies the risk of a cardiovascular event. In general, the higher the number the better, although, as with LDL, the emphasis has shifted from specific target numbers to ways to reduce the overall risk.

Triglycerides. Another type of fat in the bloodstream, triglycerides are also linked to heart disease. They are stored in fat cells throughout the body.

What Do Cholesterol Test Numbers Mean?

If you have a lipoprotein profile, it’s important to look at all the numbers from the cholesterol test, not just the total cholesterol number. That’s because LDL and HDL levels are two top signs of potential heart disease. Use the information below to interpret your results (with the help of your doctor, of course). This will help you get a better idea about your risk for heart disease.

Total blood cholesterol level:

• High risk: 240 mg/dL and above
• Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL
• Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL

LDL cholesterol levels:

190 mg/dL and above represents a high risk for heart disease and is a strong sign that you can benefit from intensive treatment, including lifestyle changes, diet, and statin therapy for reducing that risk.

For LDL levels that are equal to or less than 189 mg/dL, the guidelines recommend strategies for lowering LDL by 30% to 50%, depending on what other risk factors you have that can affect the health of your heart and blood vessels.

HDL cholesterol:

• High risk: Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women

Triglycerides:

• Very high risk: 500 mg/dL and above
• High risk: 200-499 mg/dL
• Borderline high risk: 150-199 mg/dL
• Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL

Use your diet to help lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol.

For the biggest impact, choose foods that are low in saturated fats and trans fats, and high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Whole grains, beans, apples, pears, oatmeal, salmon, walnuts, and olive oil are excellent heart-healthy choices.

Here are some more diet tips to help you lower your cholesterol:

Make meat lean. Cut back on red meats that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and choose only lean meats with very little visible fat. Examples of lean beef include London broil, eye of round, and filet mignon. Avoid processed meats like bacon and sausage, which are linked to higher odds of heart disease and diabetes.

Remove skin from poultry. That’s where much of the fat is.

Eat more seafood. It usually has less fat than other meat. The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, or mackerel) each week for heart health. Those fish are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for you.

Limit saturated fat. These are found in whole-fat dairy products, mayonnaise, and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils or fats (such as stick margarine). These products may also contain trans fats, which can raise your cholesterol level.

Go liquid. For cooking, replace saturated fats that are solid at room temperature (such as butter and shortening) with liquid monounsaturated fats such as olive, canola, and flaxseed oils. There’s evidence that eating moderate amounts of monounsaturated fat – found in such foods as nuts, seeds, and avocados – may lower LDL cholesterol.

Add fiber with plant foods. Good sources include grapefruit, apples, beans and other legumes, barley, carrots, cabbage, and oatmeal.

Get two daily servings of plant sterol-rich foods. These foods, such as nuts, can help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are also added to some soft margarines, granola bars, yogurts, and orange juice.

You need to know how much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are in your favorite foods. That can help you make better choices.

Too much saturated fat can drive up your cholesterol level. It’s found mostly in animal products. Cholesterol also is found in animal products. Your doctor or a dietitian can let you know what your daily limit should be.

Artificial trans fats can raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They’re in packaged foods, like some crackers, cookies, pastries, and microwave popcorn.

Check the nutrition label. And because products marked “0 grams” of trans fats per serving can have up to a gram of trans fats, check the ingredients label, too. Anything marked “partially hydrogenated” is trans fat.

Exercise helps you get your cholesterol down from the borderline range.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, per day (150 minutes each week). You can also do a more intense workout for 75 minutes a week.

Taking a walk, riding your bike, playing a team sport, or taking a group fitness class will increase your heart rate while raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Push yourself, if you can, but keep in mind that moderate exercise is better than none at all.

You can have borderline high cholesterol and be at a healthy weight. But if you’re overweight, losing those extra pounds can help bring your cholesterol level back down.

Losing as little as 5% of your body weight can lower your cholesterol levels. One study found that adults who took part in a 12-week exercise program lowered their LDL by 18 points, and their total cholesterol dropped 26 points.

With a combination of weight loss and a healthy diet, it’s possible to lower LDL levels up to 30% – results that are similar to taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

If you’re not sure whether your weight is in a healthy place, ask your doctor to check your body mass index (BMI). A normal BMI is 18 to 25. If your BMI is 25 or higher, ask your doctor for advice on the best types of physical activity for you.

If you smoke, kicking the habit can help raise your HDL (“good”) cholesterol up to 10%.

Have you tried to quit smoking before? For many people, it takes a couple of tries. Keep trying until it sticks. It’s worth it, for your whole body’s health.

During regular screening appointments, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels to see if the changes you’ve made have gotten you to your cholesterol goal.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower borderline high cholesterol, your doctor may talk to you about medication.

Top Picks

What It Is and What to Do About It

Written by Jodi Helmer

• Cholesterol Tests
• Make Changes in the Kitchen
• Read Food Labels
• Get Moving
• Lose Extra Weight
• Quit Smoking
• Check to See What’s Working
• More

Has your doctor told you that you have “borderline” high cholesterol? That means your cholesterol level is above normal but not quite in the “high” range.

You have borderline high cholesterol if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Your doctor will also consider other things, like how much of your total cholesterol is LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and how much of it is HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Making simple changes in your lifestyle is often enough to bring borderline cholesterol levels down to the normal range. Some people may also need to take medicine for it. And keep in mind that other things, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking, also affect your heart health; it’s not just about cholesterol.

If you have borderline cholesterol, your doctor will decide whether you need treatment by looking at these and other risk factors for heart disease. They may ask you to get an imaging test of your heart called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. This test reveals whether dangerous plaque has built up in your heart’s arteries.

You won’t know you have borderline cholesterol unless you get a cholesterol blood test. You should do that every 5 years.

The average American has a total cholesterol level of 200, which is in the borderline range.

You can turn it around before you get high cholesterol. Start with these steps.

Why Do I Need a Cholesterol Test?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you take in more cholesterol from certain foods, such as those from animals. If you have too much cholesterol in your body, it can build up in the walls of your arteries (as “plaque”) and eventually harden. This process, called atherosclerosis, actually narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to travel through them. 

Unfortunately, high cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms. In later stages of atherosclerosis, though, you may have angina – severe chest pain from lack of blood flow to the heart. If an artery gets totally blocked, a heart attack results. A routine blood cholesterol test is a far better way of finding out what your cholesterol level is.

What Does a Cholesterol Test Measure?

In addition to measuring the total cholesterol in your blood, the standard cholesterol test (called a “lipid panel”) measures three specific kinds of fat:

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This is the “bad cholesterol,” the main cause of plaque buildup, which increases your risk of heart disease. In general, the lower the number, the better. But LDL cholesterol is only one part of a larger equation that measures a person’s overall risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

For years, guidelines focused on specific target numbers for people to achieve to lower their risk. The most recent guidelines focus on a person’s overall risk and, based on that risk, recommend a certain percentage of LDL reduction as one part of a way to prevent serious heart and blood vessel problems.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL). This is the “good cholesterol.” It transports bad cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it is excreted by the body. Your HDL is another part of the equation that identifies the risk of a cardiovascular event. In general, the higher the number the better, although, as with LDL, the emphasis has shifted from specific target numbers to ways to reduce the overall risk.

Triglycerides. Another type of fat in the bloodstream, triglycerides are also linked to heart disease. They are stored in fat cells throughout the body.

What Do Cholesterol Test Numbers Mean?

If you have a lipoprotein profile, it’s important to look at all the numbers from the cholesterol test, not just the total cholesterol number. That’s because LDL and HDL levels are two top signs of potential heart disease. Use the information below to interpret your results (with the help of your doctor, of course). This will help you get a better idea about your risk for heart disease.

Total blood cholesterol level:

• High risk: 240 mg/dL and above
• Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL
• Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL

LDL cholesterol levels:

190 mg/dL and above represents a high risk for heart disease and is a strong sign that you can benefit from intensive treatment, including lifestyle changes, diet, and statin therapy for reducing that risk.

For LDL levels that are equal to or less than 189 mg/dL, the guidelines recommend strategies for lowering LDL by 30% to 50%, depending on what other risk factors you have that can affect the health of your heart and blood vessels.

HDL cholesterol:

• High risk: Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women

Triglycerides:

• Very high risk: 500 mg/dL and above
• High risk: 200-499 mg/dL
• Borderline high risk: 150-199 mg/dL
• Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL

Use your diet to help lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol.

For the biggest impact, choose foods that are low in saturated fats and trans fats, and high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Whole grains, beans, apples, pears, oatmeal, salmon, walnuts, and olive oil are excellent heart-healthy choices.

Here are some more diet tips to help you lower your cholesterol:

Make meat lean. Cut back on red meats that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and choose only lean meats with very little visible fat. Examples of lean beef include London broil, eye of round, and filet mignon. Avoid processed meats like bacon and sausage, which are linked to higher odds of heart disease and diabetes.

Remove skin from poultry. That’s where much of the fat is.

Eat more seafood. It usually has less fat than other meat. The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, or mackerel) each week for heart health. Those fish are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for you.

Limit saturated fat. These are found in whole-fat dairy products, mayonnaise, and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils or fats (such as stick margarine). These products may also contain trans fats, which can raise your cholesterol level.

Go liquid. For cooking, replace saturated fats that are solid at room temperature (such as butter and shortening) with liquid monounsaturated fats such as olive, canola, and flaxseed oils. There’s evidence that eating moderate amounts of monounsaturated fat – found in such foods as nuts, seeds, and avocados – may lower LDL cholesterol.

Add fiber with plant foods. Good sources include grapefruit, apples, beans and other legumes, barley, carrots, cabbage, and oatmeal.

Get two daily servings of plant sterol-rich foods. These foods, such as nuts, can help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are also added to some soft margarines, granola bars, yogurts, and orange juice.

You need to know how much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are in your favorite foods. That can help you make better choices.

Too much saturated fat can drive up your cholesterol level. It’s found mostly in animal products. Cholesterol also is found in animal products. Your doctor or a dietitian can let you know what your daily limit should be.

Artificial trans fats can raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They’re in packaged foods, like some crackers, cookies, pastries, and microwave popcorn.

Check the nutrition label. And because products marked “0 grams” of trans fats per serving can have up to a gram of trans fats, check the ingredients label, too. Anything marked “partially hydrogenated” is trans fat.

Exercise helps you get your cholesterol down from the borderline range.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, per day (150 minutes each week). You can also do a more intense workout for 75 minutes a week.

Taking a walk, riding your bike, playing a team sport, or taking a group fitness class will increase your heart rate while raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Push yourself, if you can, but keep in mind that moderate exercise is better than none at all.

You can have borderline high cholesterol and be at a healthy weight. But if you’re overweight, losing those extra pounds can help bring your cholesterol level back down.

Losing as little as 5% of your body weight can lower your cholesterol levels. One study found that adults who took part in a 12-week exercise program lowered their LDL by 18 points, and their total cholesterol dropped 26 points.

With a combination of weight loss and a healthy diet, it’s possible to lower LDL levels up to 30% – results that are similar to taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

If you’re not sure whether your weight is in a healthy place, ask your doctor to check your body mass index (BMI). A normal BMI is 18 to 25. If your BMI is 25 or higher, ask your doctor for advice on the best types of physical activity for you.

If you smoke, kicking the habit can help raise your HDL (“good”) cholesterol up to 10%.

Have you tried to quit smoking before? For many people, it takes a couple of tries. Keep trying until it sticks. It’s worth it, for your whole body’s health.

During regular screening appointments, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels to see if the changes you’ve made have gotten you to your cholesterol goal.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower borderline high cholesterol, your doctor may talk to you about medication.

Top Picks

What level of cholesterol is considered high? | Eternal questions | Question-Answer

09.01.2017 17:28

Elena Slobodyan

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

948724

Category:
Diseases and treatment

The level of cholesterol in the blood is an important indicator of health. Cholesterol is present in every organ, in every cell membrane and in muscle. Without this substance, the construction of the skeleton, the regeneration of damaged tissues, the metabolism and the production of the most important sex hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen and cortisol, are impossible.

A person receives only 20% of cholesterol from food, in particular, from animal fats, meat, some types of proteins and other products, and the remaining 80% is produced in the human liver.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is usually divided into “bad” and “good”. Both forms are found in the blood plasma as part of lipoproteins: complex complex compounds consisting of fats and proteins.

“Good” cholesterol is the code name for high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The main function of “good” cholesterol is the continuous transfer of excess cholesterol from the blood to the liver for processing and further excretion from the body. Therefore, such cholesterol actively protects the body from serious diseases and cleanses the inner walls of blood vessels.

In contrast, “bad” cholesterol settles inside the walls of the arteries, forming plaques. It combines with apoproteins (special types of protein) and forms fat-protein complexes (LDL). Dangerous for health is the increase in the level of this particular cholesterol.

Cholesterol norms for women and men

The content of cholesterol in human blood can vary from 3.6 mmol/l to 7.8 mmol/l. The optimal level of cholesterol is considered:

Norms of blood cholesterol in men by age

Norms of blood cholesterol in women by age

What happens when you have high cholesterol?

High cholesterol can be caused by:

How can blood cholesterol levels be controlled?

Only physical activity can increase the level of “good” cholesterol: medium and moderate physical activity on the body can increase its production. A low-carbohydrate diet can also help lower bad cholesterol levels. You should exclude the use of margarine, mayonnaise, chips, pastries, fried foods and convenience foods.

How can I check my cholesterol level?

To find out your cholesterol level, you should do a biochemical blood test. The analysis can be taken in almost any clinic, for this they take approximately 5 milliliters of blood from the cubital vein. It is important to know that before taking a cholesterol test, you should not eat anything for 12 hours, limit yourself to physical activity.

See also:

• …What are the standards for blood sugar and cholesterol levels? →
• What pressure is considered normal, low and high? →
• …What is the difference between good and bad cholesterol? →

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Lactoflorene Cholesterol | Cholesterol under control

Lactoflorene Cholesterol | Cholesterol under control | Lactoflorene

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faq

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in the cell membranes of all animal organisms. It performs a number of important functions in the human body. The substance is part of the cell membranes, protecting every particle of our body from outside influences. That is why with age, the concentration of cholesterol in the body increases – the cells become more vulnerable, and they need additional protection. Cholesterol plays an important role in the production of vitamin D, steroid hormones, estrogens, testosterone, and is also involved in the processes of the nervous and immune systems. Most of the cholesterol (80%) is produced by the liver, intestines and kidneys, and the remaining 20% ​​enter the body with food.

What level of cholesterol is considered high?

The content of total cholesterol below 5 mmol / l is considered optimal (“desirable”).

Level of total cholesterol 5.1-5.9 mmol/l is regarded as moderately elevated.

A total cholesterol level above 6 mmol/l is considered high.

What are high and low density lipoproteins?

High-density lipoproteins (HDL), “good cholesterol”, slow down the growth of plaques and lead to inhibition of atherosclerosis processes, their high level does not harm health, but only helps to strengthen it.

“Bad cholesterol” – low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in high concentration lead to the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels, as a result, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases significantly.

What is hypercholesterolemia?

A pathological condition associated with a persistent increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood. Hypercholesterolemia is not considered a disease, but is only a factor contributing to the occurrence of atherosclerosis.

What is dyslipidemia?

Dyslipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic lipoproteins in the blood and/or a decrease in the content of anti-atherogenic high-density lipoproteins. Lipid metabolism disorders (first of all, high blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic lipoproteins) are the most important risk factor for atherosclerosis.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by the appearance of foci of lipid infiltration (plaques) in the walls of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the main factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Diseases associated with atherosclerosis include:

• myocardial infarction
• ischemic heart disease
• stroke
• atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities
• circulatory disorders of the abdominal organs

What strains of bifidobacteria are included in Lactoflorene®Cholesterol?

Bifidobacteria Bifidobacterium longum BB536® in the amount of 1×109 CFU.*

Have the status of GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe), which means international recognition of the safety of bifidobacterium Bifidobacterium lactis HN019TM, including for children from the first days of life, as well as the absence of restrictions on use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

*COE is a colony forming unit (an indicator of the number of viable microorganisms).

other products Lactoflorene ^®

springs

1. Efficacy and safety of a nutraceutical with probiotic and red yeast rice extract in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Chiara Macchi, Margherita Botta, Raffaella Bosisio, Chiara Pavanello,
Chiara Maria Toldo, Giuliana Mombelli, Laura Calabresi, Massimiliano Ruscica, Paolo Magni Abstract ID 78448. 2. Comparative efficacy of statins in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease S.V. Shalaev, Z.M. Safiullina, L.V.
Kremneva, O.V. Abaturova. 3. Khokhlov A.A., Sychev D.A. Estimation of the frequency of potentially significant drug interactions in patients taking statins. Clinical pharmacology and therapy. 2015. V. 24. No. 5. S.