The Abc’s to Understand Cholesterol
Do you know the difference between HDL and LDL? You know your combined cholesterol number and the individual numbers that make up a combined cholesterol number? Read on to find out all the answers.
Most of us take it for granted that what doctors and health care provider tell us is correct, and complete; but are they correct and are they giving you all the information?
When you visit your with you health care provider, and he/she tell you that your cholesterol is high and that he want to prescribe medication for you, do you ask questions or do you take the prescription and have it filled.
One very basic question should be what are my numbers since cholesterol has two very important numbers in addition to knowing what your triglycerides level is. So basically there are three numbers that you need to know, and within what guidelines each number should be in between.
The different cholesterol numbers are HDL and LDL, which for those who are not familiar with this, let me explain. HDL is High-Density Lipoproteins; which is considered to be our “Good” number; it helps the body get rid of cholesterol. Then there is LDL, which is our “Bad” number, this tell the doctor and you that you have a lot of plaque in your blood stream which is different sort of fats. This substance attaches itself to your arteries, and slowly as it builds up in these tunnels, making it harder and harder for the blood to get through. This eventually build ups and blocks or cuts off blood to the brain and heart, leading to heart disease, heart attacks as well as strokes.
As mentioned above, cholesterol is made of fats, which build up, in our body’s; and our body/bloodstream is unable to dissolve this substance and so it piles up. This substance called plaque and is detected by a blood test looking for your lipoproteins.
The doctors will usually tell you one general number, and the best numbers are those under 200 total. When the total cholesterol number are between 200 and 235 you are on the verge of being diagnosed as having heart disease that is very dangerous. Cholesterol numbers over 240, is very dangerous, putting you at a high risk for a heart attack. Many doctor when they see you combined number about 210, will prescribe medication as mentioned above.
These medications can and do have health concerns that you need to be aware of. There are also other healthy options you can chose, such as exercise, and diet, but first you need get the situation under control. If your not going to change your diet and exercise then you need to seriously consider the medication.
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