Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. It is mainly made by the liver
but can also be found in some foods.
Total cholesterol. This is a measure of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and other lipid components.
LDL (low
density lipoprotein cholesterol). LDL carries cholesterol from your liver to the cells that need it. If
there is too much cholesterol for the cells to use, it can build up in
the artery walls, leading to disease of the arteries. For this reason,
LDL cholesterol is known as "bad cholesterol".
HDL
(high density lipoprotein cholesterol). HDL carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where
it is either broken down or passed out of the body as a waste product.
For this reason, it is referred to as "good cholesterol" and higher
levels are better.
Triglycerides
(fats carried in the blood from the food we eat. Excess calories,
alcohol or sugar in the body are converted into triglycerides and stored
in fat cells throughout the body.)
The NHS says for healthy adults:
Total cholesterol
should be 5.0 millimoles per litre (mmol/l) or lower. The average in
the UK is actually around 5.5 mmol/l for men and 5.6 mmol/l for women.
LDL cholesterol should be 3mmol/L or lower
HDL level above 1 mmol/l
Triglyceride level under 1.7 mmol/l
People with higher risks, such as heart disease or high blood pressure will be set lower targets:
Total cholesterol of 4mmol/L or lower
LDL of 2mmol/L or lower
Cholesterol numbers are used to calculate the overall risk of coronary heart disease.
The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL - total cholesterol divided by HDL - should be below 4.
Doctors
will set individual cholesterol targets for patients based on their
overall risk factors. Treatment may involve diet changes to cut down on
bad fats, increasing exercise, or taking cholesterol lowering medication, such as statins.
