What are healthy cholesterol levels for different age groups. How can high cholesterol be managed effectively. What lifestyle changes can help lower cholesterol levels. When should cholesterol levels be checked.

Decoding Cholesterol: Types and Their Significance

Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, plays a crucial role in our body’s functioning. However, maintaining appropriate levels is essential for overall health. There are two primary types of cholesterol:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – often referred to as “bad” cholesterol
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – known as “good” cholesterol

Why is LDL cholesterol considered “bad”. Excess LDL in the bloodstream can accumulate in blood vessels, forming fatty deposits called plaques. These plaques can lead to serious health issues, including heart attacks and strokes. Conversely, HDL cholesterol is beneficial as it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Cholesterol Levels: What’s Normal and What’s High?

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides guidelines for healthy cholesterol levels based on age and gender:

For Adults (20 years and older):

• Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dl
• Non-HDL: less than 130 mg/dl
• LDL: less than 100 mg/dl
• HDL: 40 mg/dl or higher for males, 50 mg/dl or higher for females

For Children and Adolescents (19 years and younger):

• Total cholesterol: less than 170 mg/dl
• Non-HD: less than 120 mg/dl
• LDL: less than 100 mg/dl
• HDL: more than 45 mg/dl

When do cholesterol levels become concerning. For adults, total cholesterol levels between 200-239 mg/dl are considered borderline high, while levels of 240 mg/dl or above are classified as high. LDL levels between 130-159 mg/dl are borderline high, 160-189 mg/dl are high, and 190 mg/dl or above are very high.

Factors Influencing Cholesterol Levels

Several factors can impact cholesterol levels:

1. Age: Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age
2. Gender: Males typically have higher levels throughout life compared to females
3. Menopause: Cholesterol levels in females often rise after menopause
4. Health conditions: Type 2 diabetes and familial hypercholesterolemia can raise LDL levels
5. Diet: High intake of saturated fats can contribute to elevated cholesterol
6. Physical activity: Low levels of exercise may lead to higher cholesterol
7. Genetics: Family history of high cholesterol increases individual risk

The Importance of Regular Cholesterol Checks

Regular monitoring of cholesterol levels is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. How often should cholesterol levels be checked. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

• Adults aged 20 or over: At least once every 4-6 years
• Children: At least once between ages 9-11 and again between 17-21
• Individuals with risk factors: More frequent checks may be necessary

Why is early detection important. Years of unmanaged high cholesterol can be challenging to treat. Taking steps to reach or maintain healthy levels earlier in life can prevent them from becoming dangerously high over time.

Strategies for Lowering Cholesterol Levels

If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, there are several strategies you can employ to bring your levels down to a healthy range:

1. Dietary Changes

Adopting a heart-healthy diet can significantly impact cholesterol levels. What foods should be included in a cholesterol-lowering diet?

• Fruits and vegetables: Rich in fiber and antioxidants
• Whole grains: Provide essential nutrients and fiber
• Lean proteins: Such as fish, poultry, and legumes
• Healthy fats: Found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil

Simultaneously, it’s important to limit foods high in saturated fats, such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, and fried foods.

2. Increased Physical Activity

Regular exercise can help raise HDL cholesterol levels while lowering LDL levels. How much exercise is recommended? The NIH suggests aiming for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, along with muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. However, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise regimen.

3. Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight can positively impact cholesterol levels. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% can lead to significant improvements in cholesterol profiles.

4. Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking can improve HDL cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health. Various resources and support systems are available for those looking to quit.

5. Stress Management

Chronic stress can negatively impact cholesterol levels. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can be beneficial.

Understanding Cholesterol Level 255

A cholesterol level of 255 mg/dl is considered high. This reading typically refers to total cholesterol, which includes both LDL and HDL cholesterol. What does a cholesterol level of 255 mean for your health? It indicates an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and suggests the need for lifestyle modifications or medical intervention.

If you’ve received a cholesterol reading of 255 mg/dl, it’s crucial to:

1. Consult with your healthcare provider for a comprehensive assessment
2. Get a detailed lipid profile to understand your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels
3. Discuss potential treatment options, which may include lifestyle changes or medication
4. Develop a plan to lower your cholesterol to a healthier range

Medications for Cholesterol Management

In some cases, lifestyle changes alone may not be sufficient to lower cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider might recommend medication as part of your treatment plan. What are the common medications used for cholesterol management?

• Statins: These drugs work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol
• Bile acid sequestrants: They help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: These medications reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food
• PCSK9 inhibitors: A newer class of drugs that help the liver remove more LDL cholesterol from the blood

It’s important to note that medication should always be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes for optimal results. Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider are essential to monitor progress and adjust treatment as necessary.

The Role of Genetics in Cholesterol Levels

While lifestyle factors play a significant role in cholesterol levels, genetics also contribute to an individual’s cholesterol profile. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that can cause high cholesterol levels from birth. How does familial hypercholesterolemia affect cholesterol levels? People with FH have a defect in the gene that controls how the body processes cholesterol, leading to very high LDL levels.

If you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease at a young age, it’s important to:

• Inform your healthcare provider about your family history
• Consider genetic testing if recommended by your doctor
• Start cholesterol screening earlier and more frequently
• Be proactive about lifestyle modifications to manage your cholesterol levels

Understanding your genetic predisposition can help you and your healthcare provider develop a more targeted approach to managing your cholesterol levels.

The Impact of Diet on Cholesterol Levels

Diet plays a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels. Certain foods can help lower cholesterol, while others can contribute to its increase. What dietary changes can effectively lower cholesterol?

Foods That Can Help Lower Cholesterol:

• Oats and barley: Rich in soluble fiber, which can help reduce LDL cholesterol
• Fatty fish: High in omega-3 fatty acids, which can raise HDL cholesterol
• Nuts: Contain healthy fats that can improve cholesterol profiles
• Olive oil: Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help lower LDL cholesterol
• Beans and legumes: High in fiber and protein, they can help reduce cholesterol absorption

Foods to Limit or Avoid:

• Saturated fats: Found in red meat, full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils
• Trans fats: Often present in processed and fried foods
• Refined carbohydrates: Can lower HDL cholesterol and increase triglycerides
• Excessive alcohol: Can raise total cholesterol levels

How can you incorporate these dietary changes into your daily life? Start by gradually replacing unhealthy food choices with healthier alternatives. For example, swap red meat for fish or lean poultry, choose whole grains instead of refined grains, and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your meals.

The Connection Between Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Understanding the link between cholesterol and heart disease is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. How does high cholesterol contribute to heart disease? When LDL cholesterol levels are too high, it can accumulate in the walls of arteries, forming plaques. These plaques can narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart and increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The risk of heart disease increases with higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL cholesterol. Other factors that can compound this risk include:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity

By managing cholesterol levels and addressing these risk factors, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. Regular check-ups, including cholesterol screenings, are essential for early detection and management of potential cardiovascular issues.

Cholesterol Management in Special Populations

Cholesterol management may require special considerations for certain populations. How do cholesterol management strategies differ for these groups?

Children and Adolescents:

Cholesterol screening is recommended for all children between ages 9-11 and again between 17-21. For children with risk factors such as obesity or family history of high cholesterol, screening may start earlier. Treatment typically focuses on lifestyle modifications, with medication considered only in severe cases.

Pregnant Women:

Cholesterol levels naturally increase during pregnancy to support fetal development. Most cholesterol-lowering medications are not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnant women should focus on maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity as advised by their healthcare provider.

Older Adults:

As people age, the benefits and risks of cholesterol-lowering treatments may change. Healthcare providers consider factors such as overall health, life expectancy, and potential drug interactions when developing treatment plans for older adults.

Individuals with Chronic Conditions:

People with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or HIV may require more aggressive cholesterol management. Treatment plans should be tailored to address both the underlying condition and cholesterol levels.

For all these special populations, individualized care and regular monitoring are essential for effective cholesterol management.

The Future of Cholesterol Management

As medical research advances, new approaches to cholesterol management are emerging. What promising developments are on the horizon for cholesterol treatment?

• Gene therapy: Researchers are exploring ways to correct genetic defects that cause high cholesterol
• Personalized medicine: Tailoring treatments based on an individual’s genetic profile and risk factors
• Novel drug targets: Identification of new molecular pathways involved in cholesterol metabolism
• Improved diagnostic tools: Development of more accurate and comprehensive cholesterol testing methods

While these advancements hold promise, it’s important to remember that the foundation of cholesterol management remains a healthy lifestyle. Continued research and technological progress will likely enhance our ability to prevent and treat high cholesterol, potentially reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease.

In conclusion, understanding and managing cholesterol levels is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. Whether your cholesterol level is 255 or within the normal range, regular monitoring, a heart-healthy lifestyle, and appropriate medical intervention when necessary are key to keeping your cholesterol in check and reducing your risk of heart disease.

Health ranges, what is high, and tips

Cholesterol levels vary by age, weight, and sex. They typically increase over time, and people over 20 should check their cholesterol levels every 5 years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that nearly 94 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol. This increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke.

In this article, we look at how doctors measure cholesterol and the healthy levels at different stages of life. We also look at ways of lowering cholesterol and maintaining acceptable levels.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. There are two types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

If there is too much LDL or “bad” cholesterol in the bloodstream, it can build up in blood vessels, forming fatty deposits called plaques.These plaques can lead to other problems, including heart attacks and strokes.

Total and LDL cholesterol levels should be low. But having more HDL or “good,” cholesterol in the blood may reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Doctors can measure HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels. The results may also show levels of all non-HDL fats that can raise the risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age. Taking steps to reach or maintain healthy levels earlier in life may prevent them from becoming dangerously high over time. Years of unmanaged cholesterol levels can be challenging to treat.

The CDC recommends that people aged 20 or over check their cholesterol levels at least once every 4–6 years or more frequently if they have other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Children should have at least one cholesterol test at age 9–11 and another one at age 17–21. However, children with risk factors for high cholesterol may need more frequent checks.

Typically, males tend to have higher levels throughout their lives than females. A male’s cholesterol levels increase with age, and a female’s cholesterol levels rise after menopause.

The table below shows healthy levels of cholesterol by age, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Doctors measure cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).

For adults aged 20 and over, the following levels are significant:

For HDL cholesterol, higher levels are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease:

Aging aside, any changes in cholesterol levels usually stem from health conditions and lifestyle factors. Below, we describe healthy and unhealthy ranges in more detail.

Cholesterol levels for adults

A doctor may classify a person’s levels as high or low, borderline, or healthy.

Ideally, LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dl. Doctors may not express concern about levels of 100–129 mg/dl for people with no health issues, but they may suggest treatment at this stage for people with heart disease or its risk factors.

Cholesterol levels for children

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the following measures apply for children and adolescents aged 19 and below:

Other factors that affect blood cholesterol

The CDC point outs that some health conditions and lifestyle factors can raise cholesterol levels. It says that type 2 diabetes, for example, raises LDL cholesterol levels, as does familial hypercholesterolemia.

The CDC also states that having a diet high in saturated fats and getting low levels of exercise may contribute to high cholesterol levels.

In addition, it acknowledges that having family members with high cholesterol increases a person’s risk.

The NIH recommends these strategies for lowering cholesterol levels:

• having a diet rich in heart-healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
• becoming more physically active
• quitting smoking, if this applies
• having a moderate weight
• managing stress

The NIH recommends consulting a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise plan. Overall, current guidelines advise people to aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise as well as muscle-strengthening exercise 2 days per week.

Having a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can also bring down high cholesterol levels in children.

Generally, the earlier a person starts making these changes, the better for their cholesterol levels, as cholesterol builds up over time.

High cholesterol at any age increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. These risks only increase over time.

Drug therapies to treat high cholesterol

When lifestyle changes alone cannot bring down high cholesterol, doctors may recommend medications. The CDC reports that the following drugs and supplements can help:

• Statins: Statins keep the liver from producing cholesterol and are the most common medication for high cholesterol.

• Bile acid sequestrants: These drugs reduce the amount of fat that the body absorbs from food.
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: These drugs lower levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood and reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food.
• Some vitamins and supplements: These, such as niacin, stop the liver from removing HDL and lower levels of triglycerides.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: These raise HDL levels and lower triglyceride levels.

Before the age of 18, a doctor should check a child’s cholesterol levels at least twice. If the child’s family has a history of heart disease, overweight, or certain other health conditions, doctors may recommend checking levels more often.

A healthcare professional should check cholesterol levels in adults aged 20 or older every 4–6 years.

The doctor may recommend treatment if:

• The results show high or borderline high levels of total and LDL cholesterol.
• The person is overweight.
• The person has a family history of heart disease.

Here are some questions people often ask about cholesterol levels.

What is the target range for cholesterol levels by age?

For children and teens, borderline high total cholesterol levels are 170–199 mg/dl and borderline high LDL levels are 100–129 mg/dl. For adults aged 20 and over, borderline high total cholesterol levels are 200–239 mg/dl and borderline high LDL levels are 130–159 mg/dl. Over this is very high.

What is a serious cholesterol level?

If total cholesterol levels are 240 mg/dl or above, a doctor will consider this very high, while 200–239 mg/dl is borderline high. Very high levels of LDL are 190 mg/dl and above. HDL cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dl or less are very low and a major risk factor for heart disease.

What reduces cholesterol quickly?

Dietary measures, weight management, and exercise can all help lower cholesterol levels. A doctor may prescribe medication if the person has other cardiovascular risk factors or if their levels are very high or do not respond to lifestyle measures.

Cholesterol levels increase with age, and having high cholesterol at any age increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Reaching or maintaining healthy levels may involve lifestyle changes and, if these are not enough, prescription medication.

A doctor should check cholesterol levels in adults, starting at the age of 20, every 4–6 years.

High Cholesterol: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Related Topics

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance your liver makes to protect nerves and to make cell tissue and certain hormones. Your body also gets cholesterol from the food you eat. This includes eggs, meats, and dairy. There is “good” (HDL) cholesterol and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol (LDL) can be bad for your health.

What is the difference between “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol?

Good cholesterol is known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It removes cholesterol from the bloodstream. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad” cholesterol.

If your total cholesterol level is high because of a high LDL level, you may be at higher risk of heart disease or stroke. But, if your total cholesterol level is high only because of a high HDL level, you’re probably not at higher risk.

Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. When you eat more calories than your body can use, it turns the extra calories into triglycerides.

Changing your lifestyle (diet and exercise) can improve your cholesterol levels, lower LDL and triglycerides, and raise HDL.

Your ideal cholesterol level will depend on your risk for heart disease.

• Total cholesterol level – less than 200 is best, but it depends on your HDL and LDL levels.
• LDL cholesterol levels – less than 130 is best, but this depends on your risk for heart disease.
• HDL cholesterol levels – 60 or higher reduces your risk for heart disease.
• Triglycerides – less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) is best.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

Often, there are no specific symptoms of high cholesterol. You could have high cholesterol and not know it.

If you have high cholesterol, your body may store the extra cholesterol in your arteries. These are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. A buildup of cholesterol in your arteries is known as plaque. Over time, plaque can become hard and make your arteries narrow. Large deposits of plaque can completely block an artery. Cholesterol plaques can also break apart, leading to formation of a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood.

A blocked artery to the heart can cause a heart attack. A blocked artery to your brain can cause a stroke.

Many people don’t discover that they have high cholesterol until they suffer one of these life-threatening events. Some people find out through routine check-ups that include blood tests.

What causes high cholesterol?

Your liver produces cholesterol, but you also get cholesterol from food. Eating too many foods that are high in fat can increase your cholesterol level.

Being overweight and inactive also causes high cholesterol. If you are overweight, you most likely have a higher level of triglycerides. If you never exercise and aren’t active in general, it can lower your HDL (good cholesterol).

Your family history also affects your cholesterol level. Research has shown that high cholesterol tends to run in families. If you have an immediate family member who has it, you could have it, too.

Smoking also causes high cholesterol. It lowers your HDL (good cholesterol).

How is high cholesterol diagnosed?

You can’t tell if you have high cholesterol without having it checked. A simple blood test will reveal your cholesterol level.

Men 35 years of age and older and women 45 years of age and older should have their cholesterol checked. Men and women 20 years of age and older who have risk factors for heart disease should have their cholesterol checked. Teens may need to be checked if they are taking certain medicines or have a strong family history of high cholesterol. Ask your doctor how often you should have your cholesterol checked.

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• Cigarette smoking
• High blood pressure
• Older age
• Having an immediate family member (parent or sibling) who has had heart disease
• Being overweight or obese
• Inactivity

Can high cholesterol be prevented or avoided?

Making healthy food choices and exercising are two ways to reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol.

Eat fewer foods with saturated fats (such as red meat and most dairy products). Choose healthier fats. This includes lean meats, avocados, nuts, and low-fat dairy items. Avoid foods that contain trans fat (such as fried and packaged foods). Look for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These foods include salmon, herring, walnuts, and almonds. Some egg brands contain omega-3.

Exercise can be simple. Go for a walk. Take a yoga class. Ride your bike to work. You could even participate in a team sport. Aim to get 30 minutes of activity every day.

High cholesterol treatment

If you have high cholesterol, you may need to make some lifestyle changes. If you smoke, quit. Exercise regularly. If you’re overweight, losing just five to 10 pounds can improve your cholesterol levels and your risk for heart disease. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish.

Depending on your risk factors, your doctor may prescribe medicine and lifestyle changes.

Living with high cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, you are twice as likely to develop heart disease. That is why it is important to have your cholesterol levels checked, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Reducing your LDL “bad cholesterol” through good diet, exercise, and medicine can make a positive impact on your overall health.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Am I at risk for heart disease?
• How often should I get my cholesterol tested?
• What are my cholesterol levels? Are they high?
• What lifestyle changes do I need to make to help improve my cholesterol levels and heart health?
• Do I need cholesterol medicine?
• What are the side effects of the medicine?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cholesterol

National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Cholesterol

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

09. 01.2017 17:28

Elena Slobodyan

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

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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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Cholesterol is the norm in the elderly and the reasons for the increase

Cholesterol is an integral part of the nerves, human brain and cell membranes. Also, this substance directly affects the production of hormones, including testosterone. Doctors believe that an increase in blood cholesterol levels can lead to complications and vascular diseases.

The level of a substance in the blood is determined by many factors, which include gender, lifestyle, amount of physical activity, diet and age of the person.

Cholesterol norms

The cholesterol norm for women after 50 and the cholesterol norm for men after 60 are determined separately. In general, it depends not only on gender, but also on age. An elevated cholesterol level does not characterize itself in any way, and it cannot be determined in any way without a blood test.

Blood test includes:

• Total cholesterol level. This indicator is the sum of the amount of low-density and high-density fatty proteins that circulate in the blood.
• Low density lipoproteins (LDL). These are complexes responsible for the supply of cholesterol to the cells of tissues and organs. Almost insoluble and in the process of transmission they lose cholesterol crystals, which remain on the walls of blood vessels and form unfavorable plaques.
• High density lipoproteins (HDL). They do not lose the substance, but, on the contrary, they pick up the remains from the blood, which are transferred to the liver for disposal from the human intestine. The high molecular level allows them to attract cholesterol particles not only from blood vessels, but also from fatty plaques.
• Triglycerides.

In old age, people do the right thing by trying to reduce the level of the substance, as this will help inhibit the development of atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, as well as stroke.

Norms for men

Cholesterol norm for men after 50 in terms of LDL, mmol / l:

• 50–55 years – from 2.31 to 5.10;
• 55-60 years – from 2.28 to 5.26.

Cholesterol norm in men after 50 in terms of HDL, mmol / l:

• 50-55 years – from 0.72 to 1.63;
• 55-50 years – from 0.72 to 1.84.

Cholesterol norm in men after 60 in terms of LDL, mmol / l:

• 60–65 years old – from 2.15 to 5.44;
• 65-70 years – from 2.54 to 5.44;
• over 70 years old – from 2.49 to 5.34.

Cholesterol norm in men after 60 in terms of HDL, mmol / l:

• 60–65 years old – from 0.78 to 1.91;
• 65-70 years – 0. 78 to 1.94;
• over 70 years old – from 0.80 to 1.94.

Norm for women

Cholesterol norm in women after 50 in terms of LDL, mmol / l:

• 50–55 years – from 2.28 to 5.21;
• 55-60 years – from 2.31 to 5.44;
• 60-65 years – from 2.59 to 5.80;
• 65-70 years – from 2.38 to 5.72;
• over 70 years old – from 2.49 to 5.34.

Cholesterol norm in women after 50 in terms of HDL, mmol / l:

• 50-55 years – from 0.96 to 2.38;
• 55-60 years – from 0.96 to 2.35;
• 60-65 years – from 0.98 to 2.38;
• 65-70 years – from 0.91 to 2.48;
• over 70 years old – from 0.85 to 2.38.

The derived norms for men and women are the average result of a blood test from a huge number of people. The results were published by one of the Eurolab clinics, but people who most often had any chronic diseases took part in the analyzes. In old age, most of the elderly suffer from diseases.

And therefore the range of some values ​​may be too wide. Take a guideline is on the rules more stringent. In addition, a person will be able to determine his norm only after consulting with a specialist and after taking a blood test to check the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Causes of elevated cholesterol levels

Among the most common causes are lack of exercise and poor diet. Older people can also unknowingly raise their cholesterol due to certain medications. Hereditary diseases and hormones also play a role. But each of the factors must be considered separately.

1. Wrong diet. Older people need to consume less sugar and it is best to follow a low-carb diet, exclude fried and processed foods from the diet.
2. Obesity. This is an obvious factor that affects the risk of diseases associated with the heart and blood vessels. Weight loss lowers LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
3. Low mobility. Even in old age, people should exercise, as physical activity also helps to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol.
4. Age. The older the person, the higher the level of the substance in the blood. Before menopause, women have significantly lower levels than men.
5. Hereditary diseases. Some of them directly affect the increase in blood cholesterol, but such genetic diseases are quite rare.
6. Medicinal preparations. Many of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and lower the level of “good” HDL cholesterol.

Diabetes mellitus, kidney and liver diseases, thyroid hormones also affect the level.

Ways to Lower Cholesterol

To lower blood cholesterol levels, follow these simple guidelines for gradual lifestyle changes:

1. Eat a low-carbohydrate diet.
2. Add more cheese, meat and eggs to your diet, as these foods increase “good” cholesterol.
3. Try to avoid whole grains, as gluten adversely affects the human body.
4. Do not overdo fruit.
5. Create a workout schedule for half an hour once a day.
6. Eat foods high in fiber.
7. Give up alcohol and bad habits.

Even the level of stress in the everyday life of older people influences its content.

The dangers of high levels and how it manifests itself

High blood cholesterol can manifest itself in cases where it does not decrease for a long time. Accumulations on the walls of blood vessels reduce the lumen, and as a result, too little oxygen and nutrients enter the body.

This puts the elderly at risk of developing adverse angina, as well as heart attacks and even cardiac arrest.

Mood swings, severe drowsiness and unreasonable apathy may indicate that something is wrong in the body. Pain behind the sternum, heaviness and stiffness of the legs, as well as varicose veins and swelling can be some of the manifestations of high cholesterol.

If you feel unwell, older people are advised to see a doctor and have a blood test. Analyzes should be taken regularly in order to identify a problem with cholesterol in time.