Cholesterol
By Hannah Butler
What are other molecules in a patient's blood are monitored along with LDL and HDL?
What do the results of a cholesterol test mean? How do patients interpret each value?
For total cholesterol:
-a good level is is less than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L)
-Levels between 200 mg/dL and 239 mg/dL (5.17–6.18 mmol/L) are considered borderline for high cholesterol.
-Levels at or above 240 mg/dL (6.21 mmol/L ) are considered high total cholesterol levels. You then may be at a risk for heart disease.
For High Density Lipoproteins
- above more than 60 mg/dL (1.56 mmol/L) is considered high.
-A good range is between 40- 60 mg/dL (1.04–1.56 mmol/L).
-An undesirable level of HDL is any level below 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L).
For Triglyceride Levels
-Levels should be below 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L).
-Levels between 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L ) and 199 mg/dL (2.25 mmol/L) are considered borderline high.
- Levels between 200-499 mg/dL (2.26-5.63 mmol/L) are considered high.
- Levels above 500 mg/dL (5.64 mmol/L) or considered extremely high.
Low Density Lipoproteins
-levels less than 100 mg/dL ( 2.6 mmol/L) are considered optimal.
-levels between 100 – 129 mg/dL (2.6–3.34 mmol/L) are considered near or above optimal.
-levels between 130 – 159 mg/dL (3.36–4.13 mmol/L) are considered borderline high.
-levels between 160 – 189 mg/dL (4.14 - 4.90 mmol/L) are considered high.
-levels at or above 190 mg/dL (4.91 mmol/L) is considered very high.(Moll, J.)
What can patients do to change the levels of LDL and HDL in their blood?
Option #1, diet and exercise
Option #2, medication
Option #3, stop smoking
How does intake of unsaturated, saturated, and tran fats affect cholesterol levels and overal health?
These increase LDL. There is then not enough HDL to even out with LDL. This can cause heart attack. Don't avoid these things completely but you shouldn't have a large intake of them. They are also very fatty and can be bad for your weight. If you intake too much it will cause you to be slower and not being able to function like usual. You will feel drowsy. (Kang, D.)
Citation
Cassis, Ana. (n.d.). How to change HDL and LDL levels. retrieved from http://livewell.jillianmichaels.com/change-hdl-ldl-levels-4778.html.
Kang, Dr. (2006,October.). Unsaturated, saturated, and trans fat: the good and the bad. retrieved from http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/59/2543/fat-good-bad.
Moll, Jennifer. (n.d.). Interpreting your cholesterol test. retrieved from http://cholesterol.about.com/cs/yourresults/a/testresult.htm.
WebMD. (n.d.). Understanding your cholesterol test results. retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/cholesterol-tests-understand-your-results.
U.S. News (n.d.). Lowering LDL cholesterol. retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-conditions/heart-health/lowering-ldl-cholesterol/overview.