Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and is needed for other functions.
Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are several kinds, but the ones to focus on are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood and is known as the "bad cholesterol," because it is known for causing heart disease, where as High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good cholesterol," because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart disease such as a heart attack or stroke.
Triacylglycerides or Triglycerides, is a form of fat that our bodies produce. People who have high levels of triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high level of LDL's and low level of HDL's. People who have high levels of triglycerides can be due to the lack of physical activity, obesity/overweight, cigarette smoking, over consumption of alcohol, and a diet very high in carbohydrates.
According to the American Heart Association your total blood serum cholesterol level should be less than 200mg/dl. Anything above this number, you are at risk for heart disease and you should immediatly consult with your doctor.
Because HDL's are good for you, the more you have the better you are at reducing heart disease. Anything above 40mg/dl (for men) and 50mg/dl (for women) is satisfactory. Men on average usually have a HDL level between 40-50mg/dl and women a level between 50-60mg/dl.
LDL's on the other hand need to be at lower levels. The levels are as follows:
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High
Depending on other risk factors you have for heart disease and stroke will help determine at what LDL level you should be at as well as the treatment you should be receiving. To determine your HDL and LDL levels please see you doctor or health care provider so a simple blood test can be performed.
Regarding cholesterol levels, it is also important to understand the prevalence. According to the Centers for Diesease Control and Prevention about 17% of adult Americans aged 20 years and older have high total cholesterol (240 mg/dL or above). The average blood cholesterol level in adult Americans is about 203 mg/dL. Among whites, 17.4% of women and 17.0% of men have high cholesterol.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death of Americans 24 years of age and older, 30.3% or 724,269 annual deaths are due to heart disease. Sixteen percent of those deaths, 115,883, occur in smokers. Cancer is the second leading cause of death causing 23% or 538,947 deaths. Twenty-three percent of those are lung cancer, 83% of lung cancers occur in smokers and ex-smokers (101, 724).
