Cholesterol is a normal chemical substance made by the body and present in food made from animal products, meat, eggs and butter. Many areas of the body depend on cholesterol for their proper function. If the body makes too much cholesterol, or too much is eaten, it can build up in places where it is harmful. One place where a build-up of cholesterol causes trouble is in the walls of blood vessels. Too much cholesterol in the walls of a blood vessel can make the vessel brittle or can block the flow of blood.

Most blood cholesterol screenings give the total cholesterol level. Knowing this level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease or stroke. Blood cholesterol levels below 200 are desirable. In middle-aged adults, this is a good indication of a relatively low risk of coronary heart disease. Any blood cholesterol level of 200 or more increases the risk for heart disease. Levels between 200 and 239 are "borderline-high." A high blood cholesterol level is 240 or more. High readings indicate that the person has more than twice the risk of heart disease compared to someone whose cholesterol is 200.

There are different types of cholesterol. It is important to also know what your HDL or "good" cholesterol level is. HDL cholesterol actually helps clear away "bad" cholesterol from the blood vessels. When people have higher amounts of HDL cholesterol, they seem to have less risk for heart disease. LDL is the bad type of cholesterol. Higher amounts of LDL in the blood increase the chances of heart disease. Even if your total blood cholesterol level is not over 200, you may need to take steps if your LDL level is too high or your HDL level is too low.

If you want to lower your cholesterol level, the place to start is your diet. You should eat no more than 300 milligrams per day of cholesterol. If you eat a lot of saturated fats, such as milk, butter or other animal fats, your cholesterol will increase. You should eat no more than 10 percent of your total calories from saturated fats. If changing your diet does not decrease your cholesterol to a safer level, you may require medication.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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For more information, please contact UI Heart and Vascular Center at 319-356-4346.