What is Your Cholesterol Level?

Your cholesterol level could be in a normal range, then again, it might be high. When is the last time you got your cholesterol level checked? Most people hear a lot about keeping cholesterol down, but they don't know why or how high cholesterol can affect long-term health. High cholesterol isn't a disease, but rather a medical condition that can often lead to strokes and heart attack, but there aren't signs and symptoms that your cholesterol level isn't where it should be. That's why it's important for you to get a blood test once in a while to keep track of it.

Just remember that high levels of cholesterol can cause arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis, which are two fancy medical terms to imply blocked or narrowed arteries, both in vessels throughout your body and on your heart. The good news is that each person has the ability to keep their cholesterol levels within normal range, except those who naturally inherit high cholesterol. For those, medications, a balanced diet and regular exercise usually suffice to keep it under control. How does cholesterol affect the body? The body needs cholesterol to function properly, but too much of it isn't good for us. There are basically two kinds of cholesterol: the good guys and the bad guys. The good cholesterol, called HDL (high-density lipoproteins) actually protect blood and heart vessels by getting rid of buildup of plaque cause by the bad cholesterol, or LDL (low-density lipoproteins). The good cholesterol does its best to keep up with deposits left behind by the bad cholesterol, which is found in most fast food diets high in fat and grease. Smoking also damages blood vessels, something else that good cholesterol tries to keep up with. Stress affects several different body systems, and has a hand in increasing the cholesterol levels in some, so finding a way to combat everyday stress is a valuable tool in taking charge of your long-term mental and physical health. High blood pressure also causes arterial damage, and sooner or later, the good cholesterol finds it difficult to keep up. That's when your cholesterol level will start to rise.

A basic guideline provided to medical personnel explains that a normal cholesterol reading will show numbers under 200. Borderline cholesterol levels range from between 200 and 239, and you will be diagnosed with high cholesterol if your reading shows a number over 240. You won't feel any unusual effects if your cholesterol level is over 240, but the longer that number is up there, the more potential damage can be done to not only blood vessels throughout the body, but directly to those affecting the heart muscle. The buildup of plaque and other debris in vessels slows the amount of oxygenated blood that reaches vital organs, including the brain. Left unattended, high cholesterol may eventually lead to a stroke or a heart attack. Such events are avoidable if care is taken to reduce the level of cholesterol in the body. Avoiding high-fat, greasy foods and French fries, eating a well balanced diet, and getting regular exercise does wonders for the reduction of high cholesterol and will help get that cholesterol level back down where it's supposed to be.

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