What Are Healthy Cholesterol Levels?

One of the leading causes of death today is heart disease. This is because elevated LDL cholesterol levels and low HDL cholesterol levels are closely linked to heart disease. With the increase of LDL cholesterol within the arteries there is a corresponding susceptibility of cholesterol clinging to the arterial walls which in turn may block flow through the coronary arteries to the heart. This in turn may cause heart disease or strokes.

Therefore, because of this medical fact it is highly recommended that individuals have their cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis. It is recommended by the medical community that the blood of individuals be checked for healthy cholesterol levels when they reach the age of 20 and every five years after that. In addition, a doctor may order blood work more frequently to make sure that their patients maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

When the lab results come back from the laboratory, the doctor will consult with the patient to make sure that the results reflect healthy cholesterol levels. Those results will reflect LDL levels and HDL levels that may or may not be considered healthy cholesterol levels.

LDL Levels

LDL cholesterol is that cholesterol in the human body that is known as the bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is known as bad cholesterol because its texture is fatty-like in substance. This non-soluble texture creates a water and oil type of blending which may cause the LDL cholesterol to clog the arteries by adhering to the inner walls. Obviously, this is not a good condition. This cholesterol is created within the body by the liver as well as the ingestion of high cholesterol and fatty foods.

Healthy cholesterol levels of LDL levels should be below 200mg. Anything above this can be classified as risky or dangerous levels of LDL cholesterol.

HDL Levels

HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol and blends well into the bloodstream. The purpose of cholesterol is to combine with the proteins found in the bloodstream and to create a lipoprotein. This process is an integral part of the metabolism process required to maintain the healthy function of the body.

A healthy cholesterol level of HDL cholesterol is the same for both men and women. This healthy cholesterol level should be 60 mg or above. A non-healthy cholesterol level of HDL cholesterol is different for both men and women. For men non-healthy cholesterol level of 40 mg or below is worrisome and non-healthy cholesterol levels of 50 mg or below is of concern for a woman.