Cholesterol: Information On Cholesterol Levels.

By Elizabeth McNally

Total level can be determined through a simple
blood test, and in fact, an at-home test kit is available and
can be just as accurate as the standard tests procured in a
doctor's office. So how do you know if you’re at risk for heart
disease or blood clots from cholesterol? The first step is to
know your ‘number’. In other words, have your level
checked.

240 mg/dL and over – People with levels over
240mg/dL are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke. If
your level is 240 mg/dL or greater, consult your
doctor and follow his/her advice on lowering that level.

200–239 mg/dL – Consult your doctor. Your doctor will be best
equipped to interpret the results and test further for LDL
andHDL levels.

Less than 200 mg/dL – This is where your level
should be. Even so, to ensure that you have the right balance –
more HDL than LDL – you should follow the Guidelines
for Healthy Living.

Although these levels are important guidelines, they do not
give the whole picture – they are really just rough guidelines.
The LDL level is a more important indicator of
overall cardiovascular health, but having your level
checked will not necessarily give you your LDL cholesterol
number.

LDL Levels

Less then 130 is optimal;
130-159 is borderline, increasing your risk for heart disease;
160 or greater puts you at greater risk for heart disease.

HDL Levels

Less then 40 increases your risk for heart disease;
60 or greater decreases your risk.

Traditional testing is a good indicator for
assessing heart disease and stroke risk; however, there are many
variables

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that can not be controlled in this traditional
testing, such as genes, race, age and past medical history. A
person may appear ‘heart healthy’, at a good weight, fit, and
eating a balanced diet, and still have unacceptable cholesterol
levels. On the other hand, another person may have acceptable
cholesterol levels – even acceptable HDL levels –
and still be at risk for heart disease. There is still much
research to be done on and our bodies’ manufacture
and control of levels.

Fortunately, there is another test available, rather than the
traditional testing, which provides a more in-depth
study of levels. This is the VAP, or Verticle Auto
Profile. This test not only indicates the HDL and LDL
cholesterol levels, but also provides an analysis of the many
subclasses of and it offers a more comprehensive
indication of who may be at an increased risk of heart disease.
In fact, statistics show that the VAP has a 90% detection rate
for persons at risk for heart disease, whereas traditional
cholesterol testing may miss up to 60% of the patients at risk!
Please see the VAP website for more information on the
importance of this test, especially for anyone at risk for heart
disease, and for information on taking the VAP.

About the Author: Elizabeth McNally is a certified RN and has
worked in heath care for the past 30 years. For more information
go to http://www.cholesterolinfo.net

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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