Cholesterol

Original article:http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/sth149841.asp?navbar=hw115434

High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance (lipid) that the body needs for many important functions, such as producing new cells. However, if a person's cholesterol levels are too high, he or she will have a greater risk of developing life-threatening diseases, such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
High cholesterol is caused by eating a diet too high in cholesterol and saturated fat or by having an inherited condition that causes elevated cholesterol levels.
Treatment includes eating a more healthful diet, increasing physical activity, and possibly taking cholesterol-lowering medications.
A blood test can determine whether you have high cholesterol. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
A total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is desirable.
200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L to 6.18 mmol/L) is considered borderline-high cholesterol.
240 mg/dL (6.21 mmol/L) or higher is considered high cholesterol.
It is also important to know the breakdown of low-density (LDL) and high-density (HDL) lipoproteins within a cholesterol measurement. LDL is considered the "bad" cholesterol because it causes cholesterol buildup and blockage within the arteries. HDL is called the "good" cholesterol because it helps clear LDL cholesterol from the body.
An LDL level of less than 100 mg/dL (less than 2.6 mmol/L) is considered optimal. An LDL level of 100 to 129 mg/dL is above optimal; 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high; 160 to 189 mg/dL is high; and 190 and above is very high.
An HDL level of 60 mg/dL (1.56 mmol/L) or higher is desirable because it reduces the risk of heart disease, even if LDL or total cholesterol is high. An HDL level below 40 mg/dL (below 1.04 mmol/L) is considered low, which is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease in people who also have high total cholesterol levels.
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Last updated: May 03, 2003
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