What should my blood cholesterol levels be?
The best and most reliable way of finding out if you have high cholesterol levels is by having a blood test. Some people with very high levels of cholesterol have no outward signs; others do. One sign is arcus juvenilis, a pale ring around the colored part of the eye (iris). This can indicate too much cholesterol in the under 50 year old, the other sign is a yellowish fatty deposit under the skin around the eyes, called xanthelasmata.
Cholesterol, blood levels and health risk
Every man should get their cholesterol levels checked but when you get the results what do they mean? There are some guidelines
HDL cholesterol should be between 40 to 50 mg/dL in men, (women's cholesterol levels range between 50 to 60 mg/dL. Cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dL can put you at risk of heart disease and lifestyle changes may be needed to return it to normal levels (i.e. weight loss, stopping smoking, regular exercise). Anabolic steroids and testosterone can lower HDL cholesterol levels.
Total blood cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. If it is then your risk of having a heart attack is low. If your total blood cholesterol is between 200 to 239 mg/dL then you are at borderline high risk. These levels do not necessarily mean you risk heart or related problems, but you should ask for medical advice to assess your particular health picture.
If your total blood cholesterol levels are above 240 mg/dL you are considered at high risk. 20% of Americans are considered to be in this category. If your results are at this level or above then you should ask your doctor if you require any treatment and/or lifestyle changes.
LDL cholesterol levels
LDL cholesterol levels are very important in rating your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. It is this cholesterol blood result that is seen as the better predictor of health than total blood cholesterol levels. LDL blood cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL.
Discover the optimal levels for cholesterol and see what you can do to improve your well-being by lowering cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes.
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