by Shelly Mcrae

Created on: August 08, 2007

One indication of heart disease, and the potential for heart disease, is high levels of Low Density Lipoproteins, or LDL cholesterol, in the blood. When LDL levels reach over 100 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter of blood), a physician will most likely begin working with the patient to lower that number, usually starting with changes in diet and lifestyle.

The doctor will also be looking at other numbers in the results from the patient's blood test; the level of High Density Lipoproteins, or HDL cholesterol, is an important factor in determining the risk for heart disease. This number should be above 60 mg/dl. Unlike LDL, the doctor wants a high level of this cholesterol.

When a patient's total cholesterol number is too high, he or she will need to bring that number down. But that number is a total of both LDL and HDL cholesterol. When lowering the LDL, the patient must also raise the HDL levels to reach optimal heart health.

High Density Lipoproteins carry cholesterol from various areas of the body back to the liver. The cholesterol is then processed and eliminated from the body. High levels of HDL, then, mean lower risk of plaque build-up in the arteries and the formation of blood clots.

By increasing the intake of fiber and monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, as well as maintaining an appropriate weight and exercising regularly, the patient can lower LDL cholesterol and raise the levels of HDL in the blood.

Another number the doctor will look at is the level of triglycerides in the blood. Triglycerides are a form of fat produced by the body. When a patient has a high cholesterol level, there is usually a high level of triglycerides. Exactly how and why a high number, above 150 mg/dl, of triglycerides negatively impacts the HDL levels is as yet unknown, but testing consistently shows that those with high cholesterol have high levels of triglycerides.

As with managing cholesterol, diet is an important part of controlling triglycerides levels. The two biggest contributors to this increase of fat are alcohol and sugar. Removing these from the diet as well as maintaining an appropriate weight will reduce the level of triglycerides.

Lowering the LDL cholesterol is a major part of reducing the risk of heart disease. But it is not enough. The LDL cholesterol that is manufactured in the liver is sent throughout the body to perform various functions. The High Density Lipoproteins must then be able to carry excess cholesterol away for to be eliminated as waste. If the levels are too low, this function is impaired.

Furthermore, once both LDL and HDL levels reach acceptable levels, the patient must maintain a healthy lifestyle by continuing to reduce intake of saturated fats, sugars, and carbohydrates, and follow a regular course of exercise. Reducing the risk of heart disease requires not only a change in LDL cholesterol; it requires lifestyle changes as well.

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