Normal cholesterol values
It is always advisable to become a blood analysis once a year if you do not have any pathology or disease that the specialist doctor must control, or if yes, do it at least once every six months (although it will always be the medical specialist who establishes how often the patient should perform a blood test).
As we indicated in our special about understand the results of a blood test, the blood analysis helps us to discover if we suffer or not a certain disease, or if it is even convenient to adopt a series of habits or measures to reduce some parameters or prevent their increase.
More specifically, blood cholesterol values they help us to know if we suffer or not high cholesterol, which becomes a danger to health, since it causes a narrowing of the arteries, multiplying the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Whether you have a blood cholesterol test ahead, as if you intend to do it, it is best to always keep in mind what are the normal cholesterol figures, and which are considered high. But let's go in parts.
What is LDL, HDL and total cholesterol?
If you have the results of your blood test in front of you, it is quite likely that you will find yourself with three basic parameters: LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. And what does each of them consist of ?:
LDL cholesterol
The one known as LDL cholesterol It consists of a lipoprotein formed by both lipids and proteins. It has a main function, taking care of transporting liquids. In this way, it is "responsible" for transporting cholesterol from the liver to the different tissues and organs of the body.
When LDL cholesterol is high (that is, above the values considered normal), is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, because when an excessive amount of cholesterol circulates, it sticks in the arteries, forming plaques.
In turn, these plaques gradually increase in size, causing a progressive obstruction of the arteries and a greater rigidity of the blood vessels.
HDL cholesterol
On the other hand, we find the HDL cholesterol, popularly known as good cholesterol or as high density cholesterol. It is very important that the values of this type of cholesterol be in normal and recommended figures, given that helps to remove excess and excess cholesterol from the cells, helping turn reduce the fat plates (or atheroma).
Total cholesterol
And finally we are in our blood test with the so-called total cholesterol. It's not really about another type of cholesterol, but rather consists basically of the sum of all cholesterols combined.
Blood cholesterol levels
Different studies have found that blood concentrations of total cholesterol Above 200 mg / dl are directly related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Total cholesterol values
- Normal: less than 200 mg / dl
- High limit: from 200 to 240 mg / dl
- Very high: 240 mg / dl or greater
LDL cholesterol values
- Normal: less than 130 mg / dl
- High limit: from 130 to 160 mg / dl
- Very high: greater than 160 mg / dl
HDL cholesterol values
- Normal (desirable): greater than 40 mg / dl
- High risk: below 35 mg / dl
- Minimum risk: greater than 60 mg / dl
And what then are healthy cholesterol levels?
From knowing what are the normal values of cholesterol in blood, it is possible to discover in turn what could be considered the healthiest levels or values of cholesterol. That is to say, what are the recommended values to enjoy good cardiovascular health. These levels are the following:
- Healthy level of LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg./dl.
- Healthy level of HDL cholesterol:greater than 40 mg / dl in women and 35 mg / dl in men.
- Healthy level of total cholesterol:less than 200 mg./dl.
