The earlier you attempt to begin making healthy way of life choices, the better off you can be as you get older. Consider making small changes now that will result in huge modifications years later. It's like a train altering its course slightly, which causes a huge distinction in its final destination.

This is especially real when it concerns high cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance your liver makes. It's likewise discovered in certain foods. Your body needs some cholesterol to function appropriately. But having too much of the bad kind of cholesterol-- high LDL cholesterol-- puts you at danger for having a cardiac arrest or stroke.

Cholesterol in your bloodstream can construct up in capillary walls, triggering obstructions that can lead to:

i. reduced blood circulation to the heart and increased risk of cardiac arrest

ii. reduced blood circulation to the brain and increased threat of stroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source, having high cholesterol raises your danger of heart problem.

Your overall cholesterol level is the overall amount of cholesterol discovered in your blood. It includes:

i. low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

ii. high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

iii. triglycerides.

LDL is also called "bad" cholesterol since it obstructs your blood vessels and increases your danger of heart disease. HDL is considered "excellent" cholesterol because it helps protect you from cardiovascular disease. The higher your HDL, the much better.

Lastly, overall cholesterol includes a triglycerides count. These are another type of fat that can develop in the body and are considered the "building blocks" of cholesterol.

High levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL raise your risk for cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association recommends that all adults have their cholesterol inspected every 4 to 6 years, starting at 20 years old, which is when cholesterol levels can begin to go up.

As we age, cholesterol levels tend to increase. Males are typically at a greater threat than ladies for greater cholesterol. Nevertheless, a lady's danger goes up after she goes into menopause.

For those with high cholesterol and other heart risk aspects such as diabetes, more regular testing is recommended.

According to the 2018 standards on the management of blood cholesterol published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), these are the appropriate, borderline, and high measurements for adults.

All values are in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and are based upon fasting measurement.