AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Ldl cholesterol range optimal1/3/2024 ![]() ![]() However, specific individuals may benefit, he adds. Frank Sacks, professor of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Harvard's T.H. "For the average person with high LDL or total cholesterol, the additional details won't materially alter their diagnosis or treatment," says Dr. Research has suggested that higher amounts of apoB can signal greater risk.īut not everyone needs this test. This requires advanced lipid testing to measure apolipoprotein B (apoB), the main protein in LDL. Yet, sometimes more detailed cholesterol information is needed. Do you need advanced lipid testing?ĭoctors use lipid panels to measure cholesterol levels, screen people for cardiovascular disease risk, and monitor treatments. One study that looked at people with both low and high HDL levels and those with normal and high levels of LDL and triglycerides discovered that for optimal protection against cardiovascular disease, there needs to be healthy levels for all three. Research suggests that HDL's protective role depends partly on the levels of LDL and triglycerides (a type of blood fat that helps make up your lipid profile). Higher HDL might not always be effective because it needs help to do its job. But research has found that this is not necessarily true, and that HDL levels beyond 80 mg/dL don't offer additional benefits. Since HDL is deemed "good," it would make sense that higher amounts equal extra protection. "A level below 40 mg/dL could mean that there is not enough HDL to do its job properly," says Dr. Guidelines recommend an HDL level of 40 mg/dL to 60 mg/dL for adult men. This ongoing action prevents dangerous plaque buildup. It patrols blood vessels, collects excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and artery walls, and delivers it to the liver, where it's removed from the body. HDL is considered "good" because it does the good work. "HDL tends to get lost in the cholesterol conversation, but it plays a vital role in heart health, so it's important to also monitor HDL while you manage LDL," says Dr. ![]() You and your doctor can decide if you need a statin or other medication to lower your LDL further.īut what about LDL's cholesterol counterpart, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol? For people at average risk, achieving a level of less than 100 mg/dL with lifestyle changes is excellent. If you already have cardiovascular disease or are at high risk for it, you should aim for an LDL of less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). In general, the lower the number, the better. Your goal level for LDL depends on your risk factor profile. If this buildup blocks blood flow to the heart or brain, the result is a heart attack or stroke. Too much LDL in the bloodstream can create plaque buildup inside arteries. Doctors concentrate on helping men lower their blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol. When LDL and triglycerides rose above 100 mg/dL or 150 mg/DL, respectively, higher HDL had no effect.Managing blood cholesterol levels is one way to avoid cardiovascular disease and protect against heart attacks and strokes. Higher HDL (40 mg/dL or higher) helped to reduce cardiovascular disease only when LDL and triglycerides were low (100 mg/dL or less). They found that for optimal protection against cardiovascular disease, there needs to be a balance among all three. Researchers looked at people with both low and high HDL levels and those with normal and high levels of LDL and triglycerides. The research, published online May 10, 2016, by Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, analyzed data over 25 years on about 3,500 people. Another study found that HDL's protective role depends in part on the levels of both LDL and triglycerides (another type of blood fat that helps make up your total cholesterol). One reason higher HDL may not always be effective is that it needs help to do its job. But while most attention is spent on driving down bad LDL, you still have to keep your eyes on the good HDL, as some research suggests that after a certain threshold, higher levels don't offer extra protection. Sounds simple-and it is, for the most part. This combination is often associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. You want less of the "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and more of the "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) kind. When it comes to cholesterol, it's mostly about the numbers. Research suggests that raising good cholesterol beyond a certain point doesn't offer any extra benefit for the heart. ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |