For proper functioning, the body uses cholesterol generated by the liver and from foods such as meat, poultry and dairy. With the help of cholesterol, it produces hormones, vitamin D and improves digestion.
There are two types of cholesterol – High -Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL).
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is a good cholesterol that passes the cholesterol to the liver and flushes it out of the body. It rids the body of extra cholesterol and avoids it from accumulating in the arteries. Good amount of HDL lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is a bad cholesterol made up of fats and proteins that carries cholesterol to the arteries and gets accumulated in the artery walls. When cholesterol gets built up in the arteries it is called as plague, it leads to atherosclerosis. This condition creates blood clots in the arteries and if it breaks or blocks the artery in the brain or heart, it leads to stroke or heart attack.
When you want to find the cholesterol levels, your blood test will shows the results for;
Total blood cholesterol includes HDL, LDL and triglycerides 20%. Triglycerides are common types of fat that should be below 150 mg/dL.
According to healthline reports, your HDL number should be high and it should at least be higher than 55 mg/dL in females and 45 mg/dL in males. The LDL number should not be more than 130 mg/dL.
If you have high levels of LDL cholesterol, cholesterol-lowering medicines and lifestyle changes reduce the exposure to stroke or heart disease.
In case of low HDL cholesterol, lifestyle changes recommended by your doctors will help you raise the good cholesterol.
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