Understanding Your Cholesterol Reading

At first your cholesterol reading may not mean much to you.

After all, it's just a number and you need someone to explain what that number means. The best way to understand a cholesterol reading is to first have an idea how the number is arrived at.

Your reading will measure two things. First it will measure the bad cholesterol (LDL) and it will also measure your good cholesterol (HDL). The final reading is calculated by adding the total mg/dl from both the good and the bad. The result is the total amount of cholesterol in your system.

It is generally accepted that if this number is above 240, then you are considered "high risk." This means you are likely to experience some block in the blood flow in your arteries. This will result in heart attacks or strokes. If your cholesterol reading is over 240, expect to be placed in some form of medication. But more than medication will be needed. You'll also be instructed to make diet and lifestyle changes. Things like moderate exercise and cutting out fatty foods for instance. You will need to get your cholesterol reading down as fast as possible.

If your total is between 200 and 239, you are considered borderline. You'll also be instructed to make a few lifestyle changes even though your situation is not as problematic as someone in the high risk category. These changes will again be things like moderate exercise, and cutting back on some foods. Generally cutting back does not mean eliminating. What you want to do is get your level down to somewhere between 180-200 mg/dl. This can usually be accomplished without the need for medication.

There is however another way to interpret your cholesterol reading. Some believe the total of good and bad cholesterol is not the key, but rather it is the ratio between the two that matters most. Putting it into a formula, you would divide the total reading as mentioned by your HDL (good cholesterol) reading. Using this formula you want your ratio to be 4 or less. If it is more than 4, then lifestyle changes and possibly medication are in order.

The best thing to do is simply keep an eye on your cholesterol levels. That way you can make minor changes before the problem gets out of hand and major changes become necessary. Make an appointment to get your cholesterol reading as soon as possible.