Facts
on Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your body and
is needed for the body to function normally. Your body makes enough
cholesterol for its needs. When there is too much cholesterol in your
body—because of diet and the rate at which the cholesterol is
processed—it is deposited in arteries, including those of the
heart, which can lead to narrowing of the arteries and heart disease.
An estimated 102.3 million American adults have total blood cholesterol
levels of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and higher, which is
above desirable levels. Of these, 41.3 million have levels of 240
mg/dL or higher, which is considered high risk. (Statistics from CDC’s
National Center for Health Statistics as published by the American
Heart Association, Heart and Stroke Statistical Update, 2002. Dallas,
TX: AHA, 2001. http://www.americanheart.org*).
Studies among people with heart disease have shown that lowering cholesterol
can reduce the risk for dying from heart disease, having a nonfatal
heart attack, and needing heart bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Studies among people without heart disease have shown that lowering
cholesterol can reduce the risk for developing heart disease, including
heart attacks and deaths related to heart disease. This is true for
those with high cholesterol levels and even for those with average
levels.
A lipoprotein profile can be done to measure several different kinds
of cholesterol as well as triglycerides (another kind of fat found
in the blood). Desirable or optimal levels for persons with or without
existing heart disease are
Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol):
Less than 100 mg/dL.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ("good" cholesterol):
40 mg/dL or higher.
Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL.
The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that adults
have their cholesterol levels checked at least every 5 years.
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