Ideal cholesterol levels are all about the ratio between your “good” cholesterol and your “bad” cholesterol. Too much bad or too little good can raise your risk for heart disease, which is why the numbers are looked at together to get the most accurate cholesterol reading. When your doctor does a cholesterol screening, you will get more than one number and you need to know what each of these numbers indicates. This article will provide a detailed analysis of how to know if you have ideal cholesterol levels based on the ratio between all of your cholesterol numbers.
LDL
Low density lipoproteins represent the “bad” cholesterol that can clog your arteries with plaque and lead to a higher incidence of heart disease. The ideal cholesterol levels for LDL are below 100. If you find you need to lower your LDL level, you can often do so by avoiding cholesterol-rich foods and exercising daily. People who are overweight should drop the excess pounds and smokers can help themselves by kicking the habit.
HDL
High density lipoproteins are responsible for eliminating cholesterol from the body before it clogs arteries. This number needs to be higher to reduce risk for heart disease. Ideal cholesterol levels for HDL are generally considered to be anything over 60. People can raise HDL the same way they lower LDL, with diet and exercise. Some studies also suggest HDL can reach ideal cholesterol levels through consumption of red wine, green tea and dark chocolate. Vitamin D supplementation may also have a positive effect on HDL.
Total Cholesterol
Once your doctor has your LDL and HDL levels, he will combine them to come up with a total cholesterol count. This number will be the ultimate indicator of your heart disease risk, although the individual numbers for each type of cholesterol should be taken into consideration as well. Ideal cholesterol levels for total cholesterol should be under 200. Anything over 240 is considered high risk for cardiovascular disease.
The Ratio
The final number to consider when checking for healthy cholesterol levels is the ratio between HDL and your total cholesterol. To find this ratio, simply divide the total cholesterol by the HDL. This will give you a ratio, such as 4:1 or 5:1. For example, a total cholesterol of 200 and an HDL of 50 will give you a 4:1 ratio between the two. According to the American Heart Association, ideal cholesterol levels will provide a ratio equal to or less than 5:1. The best ratio is around 3.5:1.
Understanding what the numbers mean is the first step to achieving and maintaining ideal cholesterol levels. With this information in hand, you will be better equipped to take control of your health for a longer, healthier life.
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