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Blood Cholesterol Level

Lowering cholesterol significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks. Start measuring your cholesterol levels at age 20.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood stream that can get into blood vessels and cause arteriosclerosis and heart attacks. An elevated cholesterol level has been recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and heart attacks. Adults should have their blood cholesterol monitored regularly after age 20.

Studies have shown that a reduction in cholesterol markedly reduces the risk of heart attacks.For every reduction in cholesterol of one percent, there was a two percent decrease in heart attacks. The evidence is incontestable: cholesterol levels bear a direct relationship to the likelihood of a heart attack.

The goal should be a cholesterol level of 200 milligrams or less, but, for those over age 60, a cholesterol level of up to 220 milligrams should ordinarily not be a cause for alarm. Those with blood cholesterol levels over 200 milligrams should be under medical supervision and often will require additional blood lipid (fat) tests. To reduce blood cholesterol levels, ordinarily, diet, exercise, and weight loss should be tried first before turning to the possibility of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

It is important to know the ratio of blood cholesterol level to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL - good cholesterol) levels. A ratio of 4.5 or less is desirable. A ratio of 5 or more is undesirable,and a ratio of 6 or more is worrisome.

There are specific dietary factors that can moderately lower cholesterol levels, including: soluble fiber (especially oat-based cereals and breads); soy products; nuts; sterols (found in soft margarines); and garlic.

CLICK HERE for a table of soluble fiber; see Archives for articles on cholesterol, in particular:

So, you want to lower your cholesterol level without drugs

and

Major cholesterol lowering by diet alone - maybe it can be done