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Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, regardless of their age. High cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which can partially block blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body. This can increase your risk of heart disease.
So, if it has been a while since you have had tests to check your cholesterol levels, it would be a good idea to schedule a consultation to have your cholesterol levels checked. And if your cholesterol levels have always been normal, you may notice that this level worsens after menopause due to reduced estrogen levels.
High cholesterol is a common condition and women are at slightly higher risk than men. Learn important information about how cholesterol can affect your heart health and what steps you can take to control your cholesterol levels.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance produced in your body. You also have cholesterol when you eat animal fats.
Cholesterol has a bad reputation, but it is important for your overall health. Your body uses cholesterol as an essential element to produce vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and cortisol. It also plays an important role in digestion by producing bile, a substance that breaks down fats in food.
Your body needs cholesterol to function normally, but too much of some types can be harmful to your health.
The LBD vs. the LADs vs. triglycerides
Cholesterol circulates in your blood and moves throughout your body. Lipoproteins such as low-density lipoproteins (LDB) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) transport this cholesterol throughout the body. Lipoproteins are a mixture of fat (lipids) and proteins. LBD and LAD have different functions:
- LBD: Known as “bad” cholesterol. High amounts of LBD can increase the risk of heart problems such as heart attack or stroke.
- LAD: Known as “good” cholesterol. LADs transport LBDs from different areas of the body and deliver them to the liver, where they are broken down and excreted. High amounts of LAD are a good thing because they can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Triglycerides aren’t actually cholesterol, but rather a common type of fat that your body stores when you’re not consuming calories. Although not cholesterol, triglycerides are classified into the LBD and LAD groups when tested because they can contribute to the risk of heart and artery problems.
What do my test results mean?
To determine your cholesterol levels, your doctor will do a blood test called a lipidogram, which includes:
- LBD
- BOY
- Triglycerides
- Total cholesterol, which is the total amount of cholesterol in your body
Total cholesterol = LAD + LBD + (triglycerides/5)
Your values can be at a normal level, at the high threshold or at a high level. Adults at low risk of heart disease should have their cholesterol levels checked every 4 to 6 years. If you have risk factors for heart disease, your healthcare provider may want you to get tested more frequently.
LBD
An LBP level of 100 mg/dL or less is in a healthy range.
New guidelines recommend that people at moderate or high risk of heart disease further lower their LBP levels. People who take statins or have certain cardiovascular risk factors should talk to their doctor about their target levels, as these may vary.
Higher LBP levels could mean you are at risk for plaque buildup and heart disease in the future.
BOY
Your age and biological sex determine what your LAD value should be:
- 19 years or younger: 45 mg/dL or more
- Men: 40 mg/dl or more
- Women: 50 mg/dl or more
Triglycerides
You should try to keep your triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL.
Total cholesterol
One speaks of high cholesterol if it exceeds 200 mg/dl.
What is the risk of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol, or particularly high LDL levels, is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, a plaque buildup that can cause heart diseases such as:
- Chest pain
- Coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease
- Heart attacks
- Cardiovascular accidents
You may be at risk of heart disease if you:
- Your total cholesterol level is over 200
- Your LAD is less than 50 if you are a woman (less than 40 if you are a man).
- Their LBDs are over 100
- Your triglyceride level is over 150 mg/dL
What can I do to lower my cholesterol or avoid high cholesterol?
One of the problems with high cholesterol is that you don’t realize you have it until you get a blood test to check your levels. High cholesterol does not cause symptoms until a complication occurs.
If your blood test shows that your LDL, triglyceride, or total cholesterol levels are too high, you can take steps to lower them or prevent high cholesterol.
Taking cholesterol medications may be helpful in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Statin medications are typically used initially to lower your LBP and are the main medications for high cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes can be helpful in preventing heart disease and lowering your cholesterol levels. This includes:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes good fats like avocado, olive oil and nuts. Avoid “bad” fats like fried foods, butter and lard.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Get regular exercise, including 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise such as swimming, cycling and walking, ideally five times a week.
- Stop smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
Regularly checking your cholesterol levels, practicing healthy habits, and treating high cholesterol levels with medication when necessary are steps that can reduce the risk of heart disease and other heart problems.
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
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