High-density lipoprotein HDL is considered good cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein LDL is considered bad cholesterol. The key to living a life free of heart disease is to manage your cholesterol before it becomes a problem via regular cholesterol testing, healthy eating, and routine exercise. Small changes like managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight have been shown to lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels.
As you get older, it becomes more and more important to talk to a healthcare provider about your cholesterol levels, especially if you are feeling symptoms of heart disease. Not only does knowing your cholesterol levels inform you and your healthcare providers about your risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease, but it also makes it easier to create and tailor an individualized plan aimed at managing your cholesterol levels.
Looking to start a diet to better manage your cholesterol? Changing lifelong eating habits can be scary at first, but our guide will make it easier. American Heart Association. How to get your cholesterol tested. Updated November 9, Virani SS. Non-HDL cholesterol as a metric of good quality of care: opportunities and challenges.
Tex Heart Inst J. Cholesterol Levels You Need to Know. University of Rochester Medical Center. Lipid panel with non-HDL cholesterol. Cholesterol levels you need to know. Updated October 2, Preiss D, Kristensen SL.
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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. A test measures the amount of each type of cholesterol in your blood. This narrows the arteries and increases the risk for heart attack , stroke and peripheral artery disease PAD.
Only one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet.
A high triglyceride level combined with high LDL bad cholesterol or low HDL good cholesterol is linked with fatty buildups within the artery walls, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Watch an animation about cholesterol. Watch an animation about atherosclerosis. If your HDL level is too low, lifestyle changes may help. These changes may also help prevent other diseases, and make you feel better overall:. Some cholesterol medicines , including certain statins , can raise your HDL level, in addition to lowering your LDL level.
Health care providers don't usually prescribe medicines only to raise HDL. If you are taking one of these and you have a very low HDL level, ask your provider if you should continue to take them. Diabetes can also lower your HDL level, so that gives you another reason to manage your diabetes. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is cholesterol? It is sometimes called the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver.
Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. It is sometimes called the "bad" cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. How do I know what my HDL level is? The general recommendations are: For people who are age 19 or younger: The first test should be between ages 9 to 11 Children should have the test again every 5 years Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke For people who are age 20 or older: Younger adults should have the test every 5 years Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years What should my HDL level be?
These changes may also help prevent other diseases, and make you feel better overall: Eat a healthy diet.
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