Many people worry about high cholesterol. Having improper cholesterol levels can be a precursor to heart disease. It is a good idea to keep an eye on your cholesterol levels, especially as you get older. Cholesterol naturally increases with age, so the older you get the more likely it will not be what it should be.
Types of Cholesterol
Being worried about high cholesterol is common, but did you know that there are actually different types of cholesterol? LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol that can be too high. Yet HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol, and this number can actually be too low. If both numbers are off, you have a much higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
What Affects Cholesterol
There are a lot of factors that affect cholesterol, and it is important to understand that because of this everyone has a different ideal level. Your age, your gender, and your weight can all affect your cholesterol levels. At different ages and weights your ideal cholesterol number can change over time.
What is the Best Cholesterol?
As a general rule, any number over 200 LDL cholesterol is too high. Likewise, any number under 40 HDL cholesterol is too low. Most people should be right around 100 for both types of cholesterol. However, everyone is different, and this can change with time or weight. It is best to discuss your cholesterol with your doctor. What you may think is too high, may actually be okay for your age and weight.
If you are concerned about high cholesterol, contact us today for an appointment. We will examine you and your medical history and help determine the ideal level for your cholesterol. If your cholesterol is out of balance, we can help you remedy this to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Contact us today for an appointment.
