A High Cholesterol Reading and What it Means to You

What is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is actually a lipid (fat) found in the body. Cholesterol is essential for some bodily functions, so it's not all bad. A high cholesterol reading is something most of us fear because of its high levels of association with heart attacks.

How is High Cholesterol Measured?

To see whether you have a high reading of cholesterol or not, you give a blood sample, from which the lipid profile is analyzed.

There are two main measurements of whether cholesterol is high or not. In the USA cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg.dl). In the UK, high cholesterol would be determined by a measurement in millimoles per liter (mmol/l)

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Total blood cholesterol is not thought to be high if it is less than 200 mg/dl or 5mmol/l.

Mild to moderately high cholesterol would be found in a measurement of 5 to 6.4 mmol/l or 20 to 239 mg/dl.

Truly high cholesterol, requiring dietary management or medication would be over 240mg/dl or more than 6.5 mmol/l. A reading of over 7.8 mmol/l would indicate very high cholesterol, probably needing medical intervention.

Are There Different types of Cholesterol?

Yes, and that's what makes the subject of cholesterol that little bit more complicated. When total cholesterol is measured, it is divided into HDL ("good" cholesterol or high density lipoprotein), LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides. It is the proportions of each type of cholesterol which determine whether your reading is dangerously high or not. However the readings above represent the usual parameters for total cholesterol.

What's Wrong with High Cholesterol?

Well, the main problem with high cholesterol is that it is a significantly high risk factor in the development of heart disease. High cholesterol is not, however, a simple equation. If you are diagnosed with a total cholesterol level that is high, it doesn't automatically mean you will have a heart attack. If your HDL is high, that's a good thing. Other risk factors also need to be taken into account, such as smoking, diabetes, obesity and high alcohol consumption.

How Does a High Reading of Cholesterol Cause Heart Trouble?

A high proportion of heart problems and strokes are caused by atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries. High LDL cholesterol levels cause the build-up of fatty deposits known as plaques in the arteries. The resultant narrowing impedes the flow of blood to the heart and the brain. This is the way that cholesterol build-up can result in cardiac arrest or stroke.

My Cholesterol has been Measured as High. What do I do?

Firstly, don't panic. If your cholesterol levels are moderately high you can often effect some change by adapting your diet. Eat less saturated fats, more "healthy" fats such as those found in oily fish, and eat a high proportion of fruit and vegetables. Increasing your exercise can also help to reduce your high cholesterol. Plant sterols are the latest superfoods thought to reduce high cholesterol. It's probably a good idea to have moderate amounts of these in your diet, and you can get them from special products and supplements.

If the Doctor has measured your cholesterol as being really dangerously high, he may well prescribe cholesterol lowering drugs such as Statins. Cholesterol lowering drugs are not without some side-effects. It is preferable to decrease your high cholesterol naturally using supplements such as Lipistat which contain plant sterols, certain vitamins and Omega 3 fatty acids.