Cholesterol levels: What Do They Mean For Your Health?

Your cholesterol level is affected by numerous factors, one of them being your age. As you age, your cholesterol levels will change, which could increase your risk for health problems.

Cholesterol isn’t simply “bad,” though. Cholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the body, and there are different types of cholesterol that can have various effects on health.

If you consume too much of the wrong kinds of foods, you increase your risk of developing heart problems such as coronary artery disease, where the arteries narrow and reduce blood flow to the heart.

Types of cholesterol and what they mean for your health

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is similar to fat but travels around your body in your bloodstream instead of being stored in your body. Cholesterol does not mix with fat or water, it travels in little packets called lipoproteins.

There are three types of lipoproteins:

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol: This takes cholesterol from the tissues in your body to your liver. Your liver then gets rid of it. You need a high level of good cholesterol to keep down your risk of heart disease.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol: This carries cholesterol to the tissues in your arteries, potentially leading to buildups and blockages. High levels of LDL can contribute to atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries, and heart disease.
Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL): This type of lipoprotein transports triglycerides, another type of fat that your cells store for energy later on, around the body. The more VLDL you have in your blood, the higher your risk of hardening of the arteries and heart problems.

Cholesterol is produced in your liver. Your body needs cholesterol to create vitamin D, the acids in bile, and hormones that are essential for various reactions. Your body creates its own cholesterol, so any additional cholesterol that you consume is surplus.

If you consume too much cholesterol it can cause a blockage in your blood vessels.

The buildups, composed of cholesterol and other deposits, can lead to hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis. If a clot occurs in the arteries around your heart or those leading to your brain, it can lead to serious health problems.

Cholesterol levels in men and women

The research found that estrogen has a positive effect on levels of “good” HDL cholesterol in women, making them higher than in men for most of their lives.

After reaching adulthood, people’s levels of LDL cholesterol, which is considered bad for heart health, rise significantly and thus increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease.

On average, men’s “bad” LDL cholesterol levels start to drop around middle age.

Healthy cholesterol levels by age

The older you get, the more likely you are to develop heart disease due to high cholesterol. Your cholesterol levels may also change based on your age and sex.

The NIH provides different cholesterol guidelines for people under the age of 19 and those over the age of 20. Different ranges are provided for men and women over 20.

The measurements for cholesterol are in milligrams per deciliter. This is referring to the amount of cholesterol or lipoprotein present in the blood.

Cholesterol is measured in millimoles per liter in the U.K., which gives a much smaller number.

People younger than 19 years of age

Total cholesterol: Less than 170 mg/dL
LDL: Less than 120 mg/dL
HDL: Less than 100 mg/dL
Non-HDL: More than 45 mg/dL

Men older than 20 years of age

Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dL
LDL: Less than 130 mg/dL
HDL: Less than 100 mg/dL
Non-HDL: 40 mg/dL or more

Women older than 20 years of age

Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dL
LDL: Less than 130 mg/dL
HDL: Less than 100 mg/dL
Non-HDL: 50 mg/dL or more

How and when to test your cholesterol levels

You may not experience any symptoms if you have high cholesterol, and may not be aware of it until more harmful conditions develop.

By getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly, you can keep track of your progress and see if your efforts to improve your cholesterol are working.

Cholesterol can be tested by doctors through a simple blood test called a lipid profile.

The CDC recommends that most adults have a lipid profile test every 4–6 years. If you have a family history of high cholesterol or conditions like heart disease or diabetes, the CDC suggests you get tested more often.

Cholesterol, food, and eating for your body

Your liver produces enough cholesterol for it to function properly.

The belief that consuming dietary cholesterol has a significant impact on the likelihood of developing heart disease is now considered to be controversial, despite the fact that high LDL levels are associated with coronary artery disease.

While it’s been shown that dietary cholesterol can lead to higher cholesterol levels in the blood, it’s not clear how this affects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is because studies on the matter have had conflicting results.

Although cholesterol might not be as big of a factor in these diets, they are still considered heart-healthy.

A healthy diet is more important than restricting cholesterol when it comes to lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Eating the right foods for you

Different people have different reactions to food.

Your blood fat and blood sugar levels will rise after you eat and then fall again. During a person’s lifetime, it is normal for their blood sugar level to rise and dip. However, some foods can cause more extreme or prolonged rises and dips.

This text is discussing how having unhealthy cholesterol levels can lead to greater risks of developing health conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Your gut microbiome is also involved in these responses. This is the name for the community of different bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your gut.

Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests

Cholesterol and triglyceride tests measure the amount of fatty substances in the blood.

Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. A lipoprotein profile is a blood test that measures the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Cholesterol. The body uses cholesterol to help build cells and produce hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood can build up inside arteries, forming what is known as plaque. Large amounts of plaque increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) helps move cholesterol out of the body. HDL does this by binding with cholesterol in the bloodstream and carrying it back to the liver for disposal. HDL may also reduce inflammation. A high HDL level is linked with a lower risk of heart disease.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries mostly fat and only a small amount of protein from the liver to other parts of the body. A certain level of LDL in your blood is normal and healthy because LDL moves cholesterol to the parts of your body that need it. But it is sometimes called “bad cholesterol” because a high level may increase your chances of developing heart disease.
VLDL: (very low-density lipoprotein) contains very little protein. The main purpose of VLDL is to distribute the triglyceride produced by your liver. A high VLDL cholesterol level can cause the buildup of cholesterol in your arteries and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Triglycerides are a type of fat the body uses to store energy and give energy to muscles. Only small amounts are found in the blood. Having a high triglyceride level along with a high LDL cholesterol may increase your chances of having heart disease more than having only a high LDL cholesterol level.

Cholesterol screenings are often done in public places such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and malls. Home cholesterol testing kits also are available. If you get a test done outside of a doctor’s office or lab, the results may not be accurate. If you receive your cholesterol screening results from a source outside of your doctor’s office, you should discuss the accuracy of those results with your doctor.

Why It Is Done

Cholesterol and triglyceride testing is done:

As part of a routine physical examination to screen for a lipid disorder.
To check your response to medicines used to treat lipid disorders.
To help determine your chances of having of heart disease, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease or symptoms that suggest heart disease is present.
If you have unusual symptoms, such as yellow fatty deposits in the skin (xanthomas), which may be caused by a rare genetic disease that causes very high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol and triglyceride screening

Some health organizations recommend that everyone be checked for high cholesterol, starting at age 20.

There is a general consensus among health organizations that everyone over the age of 20 should get their cholesterol checked.

You should discuss with your doctor when would be an appropriate time for you to get a cholesterol test.

Additional information on cholesterol testing can be found in the article “When to Have a Cholesterol Test.”

How To Prepare

The preparation you will need to do for a test depends on the type of test it is. You may or may not have to fast.

If your doctor tells you to fast before your test, do not eat or drink anything except water for 9 to 12 hours before having your blood drawn. Usually, you are allowed to take your medicines with water the morning of the test. Fasting is not always necessary, but it may be recommended.
Do not eat high-fat foods the night before the test.
Do not drink alcohol or exercise strenuously before the test.

Many medicines may affect the results of this test. Make sure to inform your doctor about any over the counter medication and prescribed drugs as well as any natural health products you are consuming.

If you have had a test performed that uses radioactive substances within the past week, please inform your doctor.

Be sure to voice any concerns you have with your doctor about the test, the risks that come with it, how the test will be performed, and what the results of the test will show. Fill out the medical form to help you understand how important this test is.

How It Is Done

The health professional taking a sample of your blood will:

Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.
Clean the needle site with alcohol.
Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.
Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.
Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.

How It Feels

The bloodsample is taken from a vein located in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. The needle used to administer the vaccine may cause a quick sting or pinch, or you may not feel anything at all.

Risks

The chances of having a problem from having blood taken from a vein are very slim.

You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes.
In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this.
Ongoing bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines can make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your health professional before your blood sample is taken.