Throughout our lives, we're watching our personal cholesterol. When blood work is done, our cholesterol levels are watched as our lifestyles can have a great affect on the results. Having the right amount of good cholesterol or the wrong amount of bad cholesterol can lead to major health issues down the line.
Cholesterol is found in the cell membranes and is essential in the structure of mammalian cell membranes. High levels of serum cholesterol will cause series illnesses like heart disease and/or stroke. The American Heart Association states that eating a heart-healthy diet, be active, and avoiding the use of tobacco will keep your cholesterol levels healthy which will affect the rest of the body in a positive way.
When you have your blood tested, which you should do at least every 5 years, your cholesterol results will come back in the form of LDL and HDL. LDL is considered the 'bad' cholesterol, while HDL is the 'good cholesterol'.
As for finding the "ideal" levels for your age group, the desirable cholesterol levels should be the following:
Desirable: below 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
Borderline high (risk of heart disease): 200-239 mg/dL
High (risk of heart disease): 240 mg/dL and above
Knowing what levels to look for after your blood work comes back will be helpful in helping you understand where you lie in terms of how healthy your lifestyle habits may be. If you're unsure of your cholesterol levels, or how to keep them at the desirable levels, consider speaking with your doctor or a nutritionist to develop a game plan.
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