Cholesterol is a waxy fat like substance that is important
for normal body functioning. Cholesterol is used for cellular
functions and the production of hormones. Your body, in most
cases, will produce enough cholesterol to maintain normal body
needs. The liver is the major production factory for cholesterol
(about 70%). Diets high in saturated fats, significantly increase
the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream. Recommended daily
intake of fat should not exceed 30% of calories, with a maximum
of 10% being from saturated fat. Research indicates that diets
high in saturated and total fat, play a significant role in the
process of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up on the artery wall
).
High cholesterol levels are strong indicators of those individuals
that are prone to coronary heart disease. Elevated total cholesterol
is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The build-up of
plaque in the artery may lead to narrowing (high blood pressure)
or complete blockage (heart attack) of the vessel. As levels
rise above 180 mg/dl, the risk for developing coronary heart
disease increases. A cholesterol value of 220 mg/dl correlates
to nearly a two-fold elevation in incidence of coronary heart
disease as compared to 180 mg/dl. A reduction of 1% is shown
to reduce the risk for coronary artery disease by 2% for levels
over 200 mg/dl.
The following chart lists values for total cholesterol and
HDL for men and women in the various age groups:
|
Age |
Goal |
Moderate Risk |
High Risk |
|
|
|
(75th Percentile) |
(90th Percentile) |
|
20-29 |
<180 |
>200 |
>220 |
|
30-39 |
<200 |
>220 |
>240 |
|
40 and over |
<200 |
>240 |
>260 |
These are recommendations of the National Cholesterol Education
Program (National Institutes of Health) :
|
Classifications of total cholesterol |
Recommendation |
|
Acceptable |
less than 200 mg/dL |
Have test repeated every five years |
|
Borderline high |
200-239 mg/dL |
If you have two other heart disease risk factors (see below),
you should have your physician do a complete lipid profile and
get medical advise based on that test. |
|
If you have no other risk factors, you should change to a low
fat diet and have another screening within a year. |
|
High |
240 mg/dL and above |
you should see a physician within two months of screening for
medical advise and treatment. |
Heart disease risk factors which can be changed include
high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking,
obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. Those risk factors which cannot
be changed include family history, gender and advancing age (men
>45; women >55). Diabetes is a risk factor that in some
cases can be changed or controlled.