High cholesterol, new guidelines, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, stains, risk. High cholesterol, new guidelines for total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, stains, cholesterol lowering drugs, cholesterol lowering medication, high cholesterol risk

New guidelines for total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)

Cholesterol is important component of every sell in the body. It is needed to produce hormones and other life-giving substances. The cholesterol is produced by the liver. Also cholesterol is obtained from the high cholesterol food and fat.

High LDL "bad" cholesterol is a sticky fat-like substance, that can be deposited onto the artery walls and cause heart decease. For people with high total cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol nutrition-oriented doctors recommend healthy diet, lifestyle change and dietary supplements. Some doctors advise drug therapy to lower the cholesterol level. Statin drugs are a group of cholesterol-lowering drugs used for prevention of cardio-vascular decease. Dietary supplements are advised for people who cannot tolerate cholesterol lowering drugs.

The critical part of making the decision to begin drug therapy for high cholesterol (high LDL cholesterol) is being fully aware of statin drugs potential sever side effects: liver damage, kidney damage. Statin drugs also can deplete the level of important nutrients in our body, such as Coenzyme Q10. Some people cannot tolerate cholesterol lowering drugs at all. They experience stomach pain, muscle pain, weakness, headaches.

Total Cholesterol ( mg/dL)

Below 200 = Desirable

200-239 = Birder line High

240 and up = High

LDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)

below 100 = Optimal

100-129 = Near Optimal/Above Optimal

130-159 = Border line High

160-189 = High

190 and up = Very High

HDL Cholesterol (mg/ dL)

below 40 = Low

60 and up = High

Triglycerides (mg/dL)

below 150 = Normal

150-199 = Border Line High

200-499 = High

500 and up = Very High

Assess your risk of Coronary Hart Disease (CHD):
CHD risk is is based on the Total cholesterol divided by HDL ratio. Other factors affect CHD risk are hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history with CHD. The risk of CHD are different for Men and Women.
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio

	Men	Women
0.5 Avg. Risk	3.4	3.3
Avg. Risk	5.0	4.4
2X Avg. Risk	9.6	7.1
3X Avg. Risk	23.4	11.0