Lipids, or lipoproteins, are the fats found circulating in the bloodstream. They include low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides.
LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, can contribute to the formation of plaque buildup in your arteries, known as atherosclerosis, which is linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. HDL, or "good" cholesterol, helps to remove cholesterol from the blood, preventing the fatty buildup and formation of plaque.
Our blood stream consists of proteins and cholesterol that join together to form fats that are known as lipids or lipoproteins. There are various types of cholesterol, depending on the type of protein that are joined to it:
- LDL (low density lipoprotein) known as ‘bad’ cholesterol and is a problem if the level is higher than normal
- VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) known as triglycerides and is also a problem if the level is higher than normal
- HDL (high density lipoprotein) known as ‘good’ cholesterol
You may have a lipid disorder if your LDL or VLDL levels are very high. These levels will indicate that you have high blood cholesterol levels.
High cholesterol can lead to chest pain, heart attack or stroke, which is why it so important to manage and keep your cholesterol at normal levels.
Too low cholesterol can also cause problems and increase your risk of:
- Cancer
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Preterm birth and low birth weight if your cholesterol is low while you are pregnant
Symptoms
High cholesterol has no symptoms.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask for a blood test to check your cholesterol levels.
The results of the test will indicate whether your level of cholesterol is healthy, borderline or alarming.
The following numbers indicate the levels of cholesterol that lie in the defined categories.
Total cholesterol:
- 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less is considered normal
- 201 to 240 mg/dL is borderline
- Higher than 240 mg/dL is considered high
HDL (good cholesterol):
- 60 mg/dL or higher is good
- Between 40 and 59 mg/dL is acceptable
- Less than 40 mg/dL HDL is low
LDL (bad cholesterol):
- An LDL of less than 100 mg/dL is optimal
- An LDL of 100 to 129 mg/dL is near-optimal
- LDL between 130 and 159 mg/dL is borderline high
- LDL cholesterol between 160 and 189 mg/dL is high
- An LDL of 190 mg/dL or more is considered very high
Treatment
If you are diagnosed with having high cholesterol, the first thing you will be asked to do will be to make some lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet. If after having made these lifestyle changes, your cholesterol level still remains high your doctor may recommend medication.
