Cholesterol levels - Rejuvenate HRT Clinic

What are Cholesterol Levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:

• LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries
• HDL cholesterol - the "good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries

The main goal when monitoring cholesterol levels is keeping your LDL cholesterol low while boosting your HDL cholesterol.

Why Cholesterol Levels Matter

High LDL cholesterol levels in your blood increase your risk for heart disease and stroke because the LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries. This plaque narrows the arteries and makes them less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis.

If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result.

• Having high LDL cholesterol can increase your risk for atherosclerosis even if you have no signs of the disease yet
• The higher your LDL level, the greater your risk

Conversely, higher HDL cholesterol levels help protect you against heart attack and stroke because the HDL helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries.

Target Cholesterol Levels

The main target levels for optimal cholesterol are:

• Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher
• Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL

Levels can vary a bit from lab to lab. It's best to discuss your results with your doctor, who can evaluate your heart disease risks and whether you need cholesterol medication or lifestyle changes.

Getting your cholesterol checked is important, especially if you have other heart disease risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of early heart disease. The screening test is a simple blood test.

• Adults should start getting their cholesterol levels checked at age 20, repeating every 4-6 years
• Screenings should start earlier and be more frequent if you have risk factors
• Kids should start getting their cholesterol checked between ages 9-11 if they have risk factors

How to Improve Cholesterol Levels

The main ways to lower high LDL cholesterol include:

• Losing weight if overweight
• Exercising for 30-60 minutes most days
• Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
• Limiting saturated fats and trans fats
• Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains
• Taking cholesterol medication if needed
• Small, steady changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference!
• Ask your doctor about starting medication if your LDL remains high after 3-6 months of lifestyle changes

I hope this gives you a good overview of the basics around cholesterol levels and heart health! Let me know if you have any other questions.