Cholesterol Explained

Cholesterol is a bit confusing for most. If you are participating in a typical, annual physical then chances are good that you are having your cholesterol tested. If the numbers are in check, then you probably aren't even aware of what your numbers are. If your numbers are high, however, then your doctor will be discussing them with you and providing input on how to improve them with lifestyle changes and medications if necessary.
So, what exactly is cholesterol? Cholesterol is vital to the body and has a few different functions. It helps in the assembly of cell membranes, production of sex hormones and formation of bile acids which are required for the digestion of fats. If certain cholesterol levels are high, then excess can be deposited on the arterial walls increasing the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol testing includes the following:

• Total (Serum) Cholesterol: Sum of LDL, HDL and triglycerides (after divided by 5).
• LDL: Low-density lipoprotein, "Bad" Cholesterol.
• HDL: High-density lipoprotein"Good" Cholesterol.
• Triglycerides: Principal storage form of fat.
• C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP): Substance produced by body in response to inflammation and infection, considered a good marker for heart disease risk.

What exactly do the numbers mean? The data table below comes from the American Heart Association with additional info on C-Reactive Protein from The American Medical Association. Additional insights can be gained by visiting the websites.

Total Cholesterol Level	Category
Less than 200 mg/dL	Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for coronary heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher raises your risk.
200 to 239 mg/dL	Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above	High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol Level	Category
Less than 40 mg/dL (for men) Less than 50 mg/dL (for women)	Low HDL cholesterol. A major risk factor for heart disease.
60 mg/dL and above	High HDL cholesterol. An HDL of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol Level	Category
Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL	Near or above optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL	Borderline high
160 to 189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very high
Triglyceride Level	Category
Less than 150 mg/dL	Normal
150–199 mg/dL	Borderline high
200–499 mg/dL	High
500 mg/dL and above	Very high

C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) <1.0 mg/dl Low CVD risk
1.0 – 3.0 mg/dl average CVD risk

>3.0 mg/dl high CVD risk

If you are anything like me, you will WANT to know your numbers. Remember that certain parameters may fall within "normal" ranges, but you may still be at the high end of normal. If that were the case, wouldn't you want to be able to quickly intervene on your own behalf? Don’t forget that it is always better to be proactive than reactive.