Why Is Understanding Cholesterol Numbers So Important?
Understanding cholesterol numbers can be difficult and confusing for a lot of people. However, understanding cholesterol numbers is important, as it says a lot about the state of one’s health, and it can help determine one’s risk for developing heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. In understanding cholesterol numbers, it is important to know the four things that are included in the fasting lipoprotein profile test. These are total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. Total Cholesterol Total cholesterol refers to the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. A total cholesterol value of over 200 mg/dL means a greater risk for developing heart disease, but LDL cholesterol is considered to be the better marker in determining heart disease. LDL LDL cholesterol, or low density lipoprotein, is known as the bad cholesterol. Aside from being a gauge for determining the risk for heart disease and stroke, LDL cholesterol levels also help determine which treatment plan to take for