Cholesterol helps our body build new cells, insulate nerves, and produce hormones. Normally, the liver makes all the cholesterol the body needs. But cholesterol also enters our body from food, such as animal-based foods like milk, eggs, and meat. Too much cholesterol in our body is a major risk factor for heart disease
How Does High Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?
When there is too much cholesterol in our blood, it builds up in the walls of our arteries, causing a process called atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease. The arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart muscle is slowed down or blocked. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach our heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.
There are two forms of cholesterol that most of us are familiar with: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol.) These are the form in which cholesterol travels in the blood. LDLs have little protein and high levels of cholesterol and HDL has a lot of protein and very little cholesterol.
LDL is the main source of artery clogging plaque while HDL works to clear cholesterol from the blood.
Triglycerides are another fat in our bloodstream. Research is showing that a high levels of triglycerides is also linked to heart disease.
What Are the Symptoms of High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol itself does not cause any symptoms; so many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high. Therefore, it is important to find out what our cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even if you already have it.
What Numbers Should I Look For?
Some recommend that everyone over the age of 20 should get their cholesterol levels measured at least once every 5 years. The test that is performed is a blood test called a lipoprotein profile. That includes:
- Total cholesterol level
- LDL (the “bad” cholesterol)
- HDL (the “good” cholesterol)
- Triglycerides
Here’s how to interpret our cholesterol numbers:
| Total Cholesterol | Category |
| Less than 200 | Desirable |
| 200 – 239 | Borderline High |
| 240 and above | High |
| LDL Cholesterol | LDL-Cholesterol Category |
| Less than 100 | Optimal |
| 100 – 129 | Near optimal/above optimal |
| 130 – 159 | Borderline high |
| 160 – 189 | High |
| 190 and above | Very high |
| HDL* | HDL-Cholesterol Category |
| 60 or more | Desirable – helps to lower risk of heart disease |
| Less than 40 | Major risk factor — increases the risk for developing heart disease |
*HDL (good) cholesterol protects against heart disease, so for HDL, higher numbers are better.
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