How much is considered high cholesterol?

Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”? Well, if that’s true, then some of us must be walking cholesterol machines! Yes, cholesterol has become a buzzword in recent years and for good reason – it plays an important role in our lives. However, too much can cause problems. So how much is considered high cholesterol? Let’s explore this topic and find out!

What is Cholesterol?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details about “high” versus “low” levels of cholesterol, let’s take a moment to understand what it even is.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that travels throughout our bloodstream. It comes in two different forms: LDL or low-density lipoprotein (aka “bad” cholesterol) and HDL or high-density lipoprotein (aka “good” cholesterol).

LDL collects in your arteries over time causing blockages while HDL helps remove excess LDL from artery walls- reducing risks associated with things like heart disease amongst other nasties.

The Magic Number

Now onto the juicy bit- How much more than adequate is just asking for trouble?
High levels of total blood cholesterols vary depending on factors like age, sex..but there are generally accepted ranges depending on age group values.
Here’s where tables come in handy:

Age Group	Accepted Range
<20	40 – 170 mg/dl
20 – 29	below <212 mg/dl
30 – 39	below <239 mg/dl
40–49	below <260 mg/dl
50–59	below <280 mg/dl
>60	Below <300

Doctors typically aim to keep your LDL values under approximately 190 milligrams per deciliter so as to prevent cardiovascular disease.

So anything higher than that warrants closer monitoring from a healthcare professional. Remember though, what works for one person may not work for another as there are various factors at play.

The Risks of High Cholesterol

It’s also vital to note how high levels of cholesterol can affect your health over time. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute , high levels:

• build up on the walls of arteries (this is known as atherosclerosis)
• reduce blood flow from said arteries thereby blocking it- causing heart attacks or strokes
  Incase you’re unfamiliar with these two words:
  Atherosclerosis: gradual accumulation of small swellings inside arterial walls resulting in risk impairment,
  Strokes: occur when oxygen supply to the brain gets cut off

Pretty heavy stuff right?

The good news is- if caught early enough through regular checkups, implementation and following through medication/diet changes recommended by doctors could help prevent future long term risks.

Causes Of High Cholesterol

But why does our body produce excess LDL? Some causes include:

Unhealthy Diet

We’ve all heard about diets being detrimental and well turns out it ain’t just talk;regular consumption-heavy amounts meats/ dairy products can raise cholesterol because they contain saturated fats which are known culprits behind raised cholesterols . Trans fats found typically in baked goods do no favours either…

Lifestyle-related choices

Smoking increase HDL values negatively while also reducing elasticity within arteries..not ideal
Physical inactivity whilst not directly responsible can lead to other conditions such as obesity–which brings me onto my next point–
Body Mass Index having an elevated BMI increases chances/chains outcomes related with high cholesterol

Biological factors

Sometimes genetics fuels us with unwanted traits-problematic gene variations cause uncontrolled heightened levels

As previously stated earlier preventative measures are key in the case of high cholesterols. But if you find yourself within a higher bracket, some strategies recommended for helping reduce include…

Medication and statins

Statins belong to the family of drugs designed to control cholesterol levels .

However, side effects such as headaches, muscle pain are common – so any suggested medication thoroughly read drug features/avail doctors advice before intake.

Eating A Balanced Diet

Incorporating non-saturated fats into your meal plans like omega-3 fatty acids found prevalently in fish can positively benefit overall health quite significantly over time.

### Lifestyle Changes
Again getting those extra steps counted
In line with making healthier diet choices staying clear from harmful elements such as cigarettes/vaping can also increase HDL values alongside exercise

## Regular Check-ups
Going back regularly for checkups even when wellbeing might seem OK is vital – this allows doctors to see trends over time–staying ahead of potential problems that could turn serious.

There’s no single method or cure-all strategy available that guarantees reducing cholesterol risk by 100%. There isn’t an exact amount or level stamped on what exactly constitutes “high” — but we do know keeping LDL levels at reasonable values reduces chances/preserves quality of life!
Remember too much doesn’t only have negative outcomes so fear not and enjoy every meal sensibly!