Cholesterol

High Cholesterol does not produce symptoms. Therefore, it is important to visit a health professional on a regular basis to have cholesterol levels measured.

Although it is by no means the only major risk factor, elevated cholesterol is clearly associated with a high risk of heart disease.

Most doctors suggest cholesterol levels should stay under 200 mg/dl. As cholesterol levels fall below 200, the risk of heart disease continues to decline. Many doctors consider cholesterol levels of no more than 180 to be optimal. A low cholesterol level, however, is not a guarantee of good heart health, as some people with low levels do suffer heart attacks.

Medical laboratories now subdivide total cholesterol measurement into several components, including LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which is directly linked to heart disease, and HDL ("good") cholesterol, which is protective. The relative amount of HDL to LDL is more important than total cholesterol. For example, it is possible for someone with very high HDL to be at relatively low risk for heart disease even with total cholesterol above 200. Evaluation of changes in cholesterol requires consultation with a healthcare professional and should include measurement of total serum cholesterol, as well as HDL and LDL cholesterol.