| If you've had your cholesterol checked, the results can | | | | dividing your LDL level by your HDL level. The balance |
| be confusing. The numbers will indicate total serum | | | | is considered to be good if the result is below 3. |
| cholesterol, HDL cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level | | | | Let's look at a couple of examples. Say your LDL level |
| and triglyceride level. Your doctor will take all these | | | | is 125 mg/dl, at the higher end of the 'good' range and |
| numbers into consideration when determining whether | | | | your HDL is in the 'low' range at 35 mg/dl. 125 LDL/ 35 |
| your cholesterol levels put you at risk for heart | | | | HDL = 3.57. This number is higher than 3, so you should |
| disease. If you've been told that you have good LDL | | | | probably take steps to raise your HDL. But what if |
| levels but low HDL levels should you be worried? Not | | | | your LDL is optimal at 98 mg/dl? 98 LDL/35 HDL = 2.8. |
| necessarily. | | | | This number is below 3, meaning you have a good |
| LDL (high-density lipoprotein) transports cholesterol | | | | balance of LDL and HDL. |
| through the blood and deposits it in the body's tissues. | | | | If you have a good LDL/HDL ratio, your 'low' HDL level |
| Over time, cholesterol deposits can narrow the | | | | might not put you at greater risk for heart disease, but |
| coronary arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. | | | | it's no excuse for being complacent either. Always |
| HLD (high-density lipoprotein) collects excess | | | | discuss your results with your doctor, who will take |
| cholesterol from the blood and returns it to the liver. It | | | | other risk factors into account before either telling you |
| can remove cholesterol deposits before they have a | | | | there's nothing to worry about or recommending |
| chance to form artery-blocking plaque. High levels of | | | | lifestyle changes. |
| LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. High | | | | There are many ways to increase low HDL levels. If |
| levels of HDL reduce the risk. | | | | you're a couch potato, make a point of doing regular |
| An LDL level of less than 100 mg/dl is considered | | | | physical exercise. Walking or cycling rather than driving |
| optimal with less than 130 mg/dl in the low risk range. | | | | will make a difference. If you're a smoker, giving up the |
| Your doctor may tell you that your LDL cholesterol | | | | habit will effectively raise your HDL. If you are |
| level is 'good' if it's 129 or under. An HDL above 60 mg | | | | overweight or obese, start on a healthy weight-loss |
| dl or higher gives some protection against heart | | | | regime, especially if excess fat is carried around your |
| disease. Less than 40 mg/dl for men and less than 50 | | | | waistline. Even if your weight is ideal, there are |
| mg/dl for women is considered 'low'. | | | | changes you can make to your diet to increase your |
| Because HDL lessens the potential for damage | | | | HDL levels. Eat more foods high in omega-3 such as |
| caused by LDL, what matters most may not be the | | | | oily fish. Eat more soluble fibre such as that found in |
| individual HDL and LDL levels, but the balance between | | | | oats. Switch to monounsaturated fats such as olive oil |
| the two. You can determine your LDL/HDL ratio by | | | | and eliminate partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. |