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Cholesterol Portfolio
Managing Your Cholesterol Portfolio
Managing your cholesterol is about a lot more than just your total cholesterol. While total cholesterol does have a relationship with risk for cardiovascular disease, it is just one part of the information puzzle. Other lipid (fat and cholesterol) blood markers interact with total cholesterol to give a more accurate picture of your overall risk. Your cholesterol portfolio includes the combination of all of these 'lipid' blood markers. Decreasing risk is best accomplished by a diversified strategy that addresses all of the components within your cholesterol portfolio; rather than simply focusing on total cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol Portfolio: (Click on the links to find out more).
Total Cholesterol
LDL Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
LDL/HDL Ratio
Triglycerides
| Total Cholesterol Level | Category |
| Less than 200 mg/dL | Desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 240 mg/dL and above | High |
LDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is coated with a layer of protein so it can travel in the blood. The result is a lipoprotein. Two lipoproteins have drawn a great deal of attention for heart disease risk; low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). These are often generalized as 'bad' (LDL) and 'good' (HDL) cholesterols.
Excess LDL cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The higher the level, the greater one's risk, because LDL can build up in and clog the arteries that deliver blood to the heart.
| LDL Cholesterol Level | LDL Cholesterol Category |
| Less than 100 mg/dL | Optimal |
| 100-129 mg/dL | Near optimal/above optimal |
| 130-159 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 160-189 mg/dL | High 190 mg/dL and above Very high |
From the National Cholesterol Education program (NCEP).
HDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is coated with a layer of protein so it can travel in the blood. The result is a lipoprotein. Two lipoproteins have drawn a great deal of attention for heart disease risk; low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). These are often generalized as 'bad' (LDL) and 'good' (HDL) cholesterols.
Higher amounts of HDL cholesterol are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. The higher the level, the lower one's risk, because HDL helps deliver cholesterol from the blood to the liver; where it can then be eliminated.
| HDL Cholesterol Level | HDL Cholesterol Category |
| Less than 40 mg/dL | Very low (significant increase in risk) |
| 41-59 mg/dL | Moderately low |
| Above 60 mg/dL | Desirable |
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is indicative of risk of heart disease.
| Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio | Risk Category |
| Below 3.5 | Desirable |
| 3.5 - 3-7 | Near Desirable |
| 3.7 - 4.2 | Undesirable |
| Above 4.2 | Very Undesirable |
LDL/HDL Ratio
The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is indicative of risk of heart disease.
| Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio | Risk Category |
| Below 2.5 | Desirable |
| 2.5 and Above | Undesirable |
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are another type of fat carried in your blood. Most of the body's fat tissue that comes from the fat in foods, is in the form of triglycerides which are stored for energy. High triglyceride levels can increase your risk of heart disease. Lower triglyceride levels are desirable.
| Total Triglycerides | Risk Category |
| Below 150 mg/dl | Desirable |
| 150-199 mg/dl | Moderately High |
| 200 mg/dl and Above | Undesirable |
Continue – How cholesterol drugs work
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