Reaching a Desirable and Balanced Cholesterol Ideal
Cholesterol No Comments »Do you know what a normal cholesterol level is? Have you ever had your cholesterol levels measured? Do you understand the adverse effects of a cholesterol level that’s too high? If you want to learn more about cholesterol, how it affects your health and how you can improve it, keep reading.
What is Cholesterol and What is a Normal Cholesterol Level?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the blood. This substance in itself is not harmful, and the body needs a certain amount to function properly. However, as levels rise, cholesterol begins to clog the arteries – a condition known as atherosclerosis – which can lead to heart disease or a heart attack. If the arteries that carry blood to the brain are sufficiently blocked, a stroke can occur.
To test your cholesterol levels, your doctor will draw blood and do what’s called a lipid fat test. In this test, they’ll check for triglycerides, high density lipid protein and low density lipid protein (a bad fat). When measuring your cholesterol levels, they are measured as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood – so, mg/dL.