From the Guidelines
Total cholesterol is a measurement of all cholesterol types in your blood, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides, and a healthy level is generally considered to be below 200 mg/dL. This is based on the evidence from 1, which highlights the importance of total cholesterol in assessing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Importance of Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is an important health indicator because it helps assess the risk of heart disease and stroke. The ratio between different cholesterol types, particularly HDL to LDL, is also crucial for understanding overall cardiovascular health.
Monitoring Total Cholesterol
To monitor total cholesterol, regular blood tests called lipid panels are recommended, typically after fasting for 9-12 hours. If total cholesterol is elevated, lifestyle changes such as eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco can help lower it.
Treatment Options
For some people, medications such as statins may be necessary if lifestyle modifications are not sufficient. The evidence from 1 and 1 supports the use of lipid-lowering medications to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Key Points
- A healthy total cholesterol level is generally below 200 mg/dL.
- Levels between 200-239 mg/dL are considered borderline high, and levels of 240 mg/dL or above are high.
- Lifestyle changes and medications can help lower total cholesterol.
- The ratio between different cholesterol types, particularly HDL to LDL, is important for understanding overall cardiovascular health.
- Regular blood tests called lipid panels are recommended to monitor total cholesterol.
The evidence from 1 highlights the importance of screening for high cholesterol and increasing compliance with lipid-lowering regimens. Overall, managing total cholesterol is crucial for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, and a combination of lifestyle changes and medications can be effective in achieving this goal.
From the Research
Definition of Total Cholesterol
- Total cholesterol refers to the total amount of cholesterol present in the blood, including both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol 2.
- It is an important factor in determining the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and other cardiovascular diseases 3, 4, 5.
Components of Total Cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol: often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, high levels of LDL cholesterol can increase the risk of CAD 2, 3, 4, 5.
- HDL cholesterol: often referred to as "good" cholesterol, high levels of HDL cholesterol can decrease the risk of CAD 2, 3, 4, 5.
Relationship between Total Cholesterol and Disease Risk
- High total cholesterol levels have been associated with an increased risk of CAD and other cardiovascular diseases 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, the relationship between total cholesterol and disease risk is complex, and other factors such as HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as lifestyle factors, also play a role 2, 3, 4, 5.