Let's understand your cholesterol report (Lipid Profile)

Have you ever picked up your cholesterol report after getting your blood tested, looked at the numbers on it, and thought, "What the hell is this?"? Many people do. But don't worry. Understanding this report isn't as difficult as you might think. Today, let's talk about what your cholesterol report, or "lipid profile," really says. Knowing this can go a long way in protecting you from heart disease and stroke.

What is included in a cholesterol report?

Your Lipid Profile report contains details about four main sections. Let's take a look at what they are.

• Total Cholesterol: This is the sum of all types of cholesterol in your blood.
• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): This is what we call "bad cholesterol" because it is what deposits in the blood vessels and clogs them.
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): We call this "good cholesterol" because it removes bad cholesterol from the blood vessels and carries it to the liver.
• Triglycerides: These are not a type of cholesterol, but another type of fat found in the blood. They are stored in the body as extra energy from the food we eat.

Let's learn about LDL 'bad' cholesterol

Most of the cholesterol in our blood is LDL. The body actually needs a small amount of LDL to build cells, produce hormones, and vitamins. But the problem starts when this LDL gets too much. Then it gets stuck on the walls of the blood vessels, slowly clogging them up. This is what we call "atherosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis." This is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. So the lower your LDL level, the lower your risk.

Generally, if your LDL level is 190 mg/dL or higher , it is very high. In that case, your doctor will likely recommend that you start taking a cholesterol-lowering medication called a "statin" along with lifestyle changes (diet, exercise).

Sometimes, even if your LDL level is below 190, your doctor may decide to start medication based on your other risk factors (such as diabetes and high blood pressure).

What is HDL 'good' cholesterol?

HDL is like a superhero in our body. It catches bad LDL cholesterol that is about to build up in our blood vessels and takes it back to the liver. The liver then removes it from the body. This means that the higher your HDL level, the more protected you are from heart disease.

HDL levels can be slightly increased by regular exercise and some types of statins.

• A man's HDL should be above 40 mg/dL .
• A woman's HDL should be above 50 mg/dL .

HDL levels lower than these levels increase the risk of heart disease. Also, HDL levels much higher than 100 mg/dL are not good, according to some studies.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the extra calories we get from the foods we eat, such as sugar, oil, and carbohydrates, that are stored in the body as fat. Simply put, these are the energy stored in the fat cells in the body.

High triglyceride levels also increase your risk of heart disease. Especially if your triglyceride levels are high, you're likely to have low levels of 'good' HDL and high levels of 'bad' LDL. The combination of these three greatly increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.

What are the causes of high triglycerides?

• Staying in one place without exercising
• Eating too many foods high in sugar, flour, and oil
• Excessive drinking
• Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and thyroid disease
• Obesity
• Certain medications (e.g., medications for breast cancer, HIV)
• Genetic causes that come from generations

If your triglyceride levels are high, your doctor will advise you to exercise regularly, control your diet, lose weight, and limit your alcohol intake . If necessary, he or she may also prescribe medication for this.

How do you understand your cholesterol levels?

Okay, now let's see what these values ​​should be at normal levels. These values ​​are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Remember, if you have other medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease), your target levels may be different. Talk to your doctor about this.

At what age should you check your cholesterol?

Many people think that they should check their cholesterol levels when they get older. But that's not true. Checking cholesterol levels should start at a young age.

• Children: It is advisable to get tested for the first time between the ages of 9-11 and the second time between the ages of 17-21.
• Adults: After age 20, get checked at least every 5 years .
• It is important for men to get tested at least once every 1-2 years after the age of 45 and for women after the age of 55 .
• Everyone over the age of 65 should get checked at least once a year.

If you have diabetes, obesity, a family history of heart disease, or smoke, your doctor may ask you to check your cholesterol more frequently.