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What Is Normal Range For Cholesterol Ratio

Cholesterol Levels In Canadians

What Are Normal Cholesterol Levels, Triglyceride Levels & Healthy Cholesterol Ratios?

Between 2009 and 2011, unhealthy total cholesterol levels were present in 39% of Canadians aged 6 to 79 years old according to results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey . Among the different age groups, the percentage of Canadians with unhealthy levels of total cholesterol varied significantly, from 35% or less in people under 40 years old, but increasing to 57% and 44% in 40 to 59 year olds and 60 to 79 year olds, respectively. Among people aged 12 and over who had unhealthy total cholesterol levels, only 25% reported having been diagnosed with high cholesterol by a health professional .

The number of Canadians with unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels increased significantly with age, with less than 6% of 6 to 19 year olds having unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels, compared to 12% of 20 to 39 year olds, and 40% of 40 to 59 year olds. However, this number decreased in older adults where 26% of 60 to 79 year olds had unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels. In contrast, no significant difference between age groups was found for unhealthy levels of HDL cholesterol .

The percentage of Canadians with an unhealthy ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol also varied with age, ranging from 1% for 6 to 11 year olds to 23% for the 40 to 59 .

Cholesterol Levels For Men And Women

HDL levels differ for men and women

Women naturally have higher HDL cholesterol levels than men due to differences in the genes. Women should aim for an HDL cholesterol level above 1.2mmol/L while men should aim for above 1mmol/L.

Cholesterol levels can rise during pregnancy

During pregnancy, both cholesterol and triglyceride levels can significantly rise. We dont recommend getting a cholesterol test during pregnancy because your results wont be accurate. Our advice is to wait until at least 6-8 weeks after your baby is born or after you stop breastfeeding to get a cholesterol test. This means you dont need to worry unnecessarily. Find out more about pregnancy and blood fats.

Cholesterol levels rise during the menopause

Women may also find their cholesterol levels rise during the menopause.

What Do Your Cholesterol Results Mean

When you have a cholesterol test, it is really important that your healthcare professional explains the results to you to prevent unnecessary worry and confusion.

Its not just your total cholesterol thats important and your results will include different types of cholesterol. If you are only given your total cholesterol, ask for a break-down of the other numbers. Its possible to have a healthy total cholesterol number but an unhealthy balance of the different types of cholesterol.

As a minimum, you should be given your total cholesterol and HDL numbers, then you can work out your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol .

You might also have your triglycerides tested, these are another type of blood fat which are linked to heart disease.

Ask for a print out of your results if you are not able to speak to your GP, nurse or pharmacist.

Your results should include:

  • Total cholesterol

This is sometimes written as serum cholesterol or TC and refers to your overall level of cholesterol.

  • Non-HDL cholesterol

Your non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. Its all the bad cholesterol added together, including your LDL cholesterol. Ideally it should be as low as possible.

  • HDL cholesterol
  • TC:HDL ratio

You might be given a TC:HDL ratio, which is the ratio of HDL compared to the total cholesterol. If not, you can work it out from your HDL and total cholesterol numbers. This should be as low as possible. Above 6 is considered high.

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What Are The Symptoms Of High Cholesterol

Lifestyle factors include:

  • an unhealthy diet eating too much saturated fat is thought to increase levels of LDL or bad cholesterol
  • lack of exercise this can also increase your levels of LDL
  • obesity being overweight often means you also have higher levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and a lower level of the good HDL.
  • drinking too much alcohol
  • smoking if you smoke, a chemical in cigarettes called acrolein stops the good HDL from moving fatty deposits to your liver

Underlying conditions

Normal Cholesterol Levels For Men

Whats good cholesterol level ~ How to lower cholesterol naturally

Do you know that unhealthy cholesterol levels can drastically increase your risk for heart disease, hypertension, and stroke?

The right amount of cholesterol is essential for your body to build up healthy cells, metabolize vitamins and hormones.

Your body may experience problems when there is an imbalance between LDL and HDL due to unhealthy lifestyle habits.

A significant drop in unhealthy cholesterol decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease by 25-30%.

This article gives an overview of normal cholesterol levels for men and shows you how to lower your cholesterol levels naturally.

There are two main ways to lower your cholesterol:

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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When Should I Get My Cholesterol Checked

How often you have your cholesterol level checked depends on your age, family history and what other risk factors for heart disease you have.

If you have no cardiovascular risk factors, routine screening most often starts at the age of 40 for men and 50 for women.

If your cholesterol is up, as with an FH diagnosis, your family doctor can also advise you when to have follow-up cholesterol levels done.

How To Lower Your Cholesterol

If you are wondering what to do about your cholesterol, follow these rules:

  • Get regular aerobic physical exercise. It has been proven that regular exercises increase HDL cholesterol and decrease LDL cholesterol . Moreover, it may also lower your risk of heart attack or stroke, as it reduces the blood pressure.

  • Diet. Eat foods low in fatty acids, saturated fats, and cholesterol. Don’t forget to include in your diet fish, as they are a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Consider eating cholesterol-lowering foods, such as margarine, enriched with plant sterols and stanols.

  • Use medications. If the non-pharmacological ways of treatment don’t bring satisfactory results, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor, who may propose drug therapies. There are numerous drugs that doctors can use to lower your bad cholesterol and correct your LDL HDL ratio. It has been scientifically proven that they not only lower cholesterol but also and prolong life.

  • Don’t be afraid to make valuable changes in your life. Calculate your LDL HDL ratio and other ratios using our cholesterol ratio calculator. Lower your cholesterol, treat hypertension and diabetes, check for abnormalities in your ECG, protect your heart and live healthier, longer, and happier!

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    What Is A Healthy Normal Cholesterol Level In The Uk

    Your cholesterol level is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood, often shortened to mmol/L.

    It is recommended that healthy adults should have a total cholesterol level below 5 mmol/L. The total cholesterol level includes LDL and HDL . The risk of coronary heart disease is particularly high if you have a high level of LDL cholesterol and a low level of HDL cholesterol. Individual levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol will vary and your doctor will be able to give you specific advice based on your own results.

    In the UK, components of cholesterol are measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood . As a guide, these are the values healthy adults should aim for

    Total cholesterol

    Do You Need To Lower Your Cholesterol And Triglycerides

    More Important than LDL Cholesterol? The TG/HDL Ratio (Part 1)

    If you have high cholesterol, high triglycerides or an unhealthy balance of blood fats, your doctor will probably recommend bringing these levels down with lifestyle changes and sometimes treatments.

    They should look at your results in relation to any other risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, being overweight, smoking, and other health conditions such as diabetes.

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    Treatments For High Cholesterol Levels

    If your doctor determines that your cholesterol levels are borderline or too high, they may start you on a management plan to lower your levels. Ways to manage your cholesterol levels include:

    Medication

    Your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication, like statins, if you are at an increased heart disease risk. Statins are used as a preventive measure because they treat plaque buildup in your arteries.

    Diet and lifestyle

    According to Erin Michos, M.D., quoted in Johns Hopkins Medicine, diet and lifestyle are very important to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Reducing the amount of saturated fats you eat and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week can help you lose weight and reduce your cholesterol levels.

    Limit smoking and alcohol intake

    If you smoke and your cholesterol levels are high, you are at greater risk for artery buildup which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. If you are able to, you should consider a plan to give up smoking. Limiting your alcohol consumption can also help lower your triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.

    Normal Waist: Men: < 40in Women: < 35in

    A waist circumference measures belly fat. Too much belly fat is associated with a greater health risk than fat located in the hips, thighs, or buttocks. Too much belly fat is an independent risk factor for high cholesterol and heart disease, regardless of your Body Mass Index or BMI score, which could be normal. A large waist circumference is also associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. See how to measure your waistline.

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    Complications Of High Cholesterol

    According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , there are no visible signs and symptoms of high cholesterol levels. When your cholesterol levels remain high for an extended period, your blood vessels are at an increased risk of being clogged with fat deposits. A sudden break/rupture in these deposits can result in a stroke or heart attack.

    The following are some health complications that may occur due to high cholesterol:

    Southern Cross Medical Library

    Normal Cholesterol Levels

    The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page.

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    How Is High Cholesterol Diagnosed

    A blood test, specifically a lipid panel or lipid profile, will show your total cholesterol levels.

    The measured total cholesterol level is made up of your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and 20% of triglycerides .

    For an accurate reading, you should not eat or drink anything between nine and twelve hours before the sample is taken.

    In Australia, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per litre .

    The range below is a guide for a healthy blood cholesterol level.

    • Total cholesterol should be between: 3.9 5.5 mmol/L
    • HDL should be between: 0.9 2.1 mmol/L
    • LDL should be between: 1.7-3.5 mmol/L
    • Triglycerides should be between: 0.5 1.7 mmol/L

    This is one of the key checks that we do on the mobile Heart Health Check Tour, along with checking your blood pressure and sugar levels. This visual cholesterol guide is also available as a PDF to .

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    What Is A Good Cholesterol Ratio

    Cholesterol is not a bad thing in itself. It is, in fact, essential for proper cell function, being a key component of cell membranes. Cholesterol is carried in the blood but cannot be dissolved in it, which means that it must use âvehiclesâ called lipoproteins for moving about the body. In figuring cholesterol rates, lipoproteins and the cholesterol they contain are essentially interchangeable.

    The liver is the engine that churns out the bodyâs cholesterol, producing it in the form of bile. As with many things in the body, however, too much of this good thing can be detrimental. Processing a modern fat-rich diet can create a higher than normal level of cholesterol. Since blood cannot dissolve or wash the cholesterol away, the excess begins accumulating on artery walls and restricting blood flow. This is especially dangerous inside the heart.

    The cholesterol ratio was developed as a means of quantifying the overall status of that substance in the body. One commonly employed cholesterol ratio divides the rate of HDL into the figure for LDL. Another divides the overall cholesterol rating, arrived at through adding the HDL and LDL levels together, by the amount of HDL.

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    Are Test Results Accurate

    Cholesterol testing is widely regarded as reliable. Although no test is perfect, laboratories follow strict protocols that help standardize cholesterol tests and make their results dependable. When these procedures and pre-test instructions are followed, inaccurate results are unlikely.

    Point-of-care and at-home cholesterol tests are relatively accurate but are subject to more variation than laboratory testing. If abnormal results are found on one of these tests, follow-up testing by a laboratory is commonly recommended.

    Is My Cholesterol Ratio Healthy

    Lipid profile test normal range | Normal cholesterol levels

    There are several types of cholesterol tests, sometimes called a lipid panel. One test measures a person’s total cholesterol level. A healthy total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. But if a person has high HDL cholesterol , it can cause elevated cholesterol overall. This is why measuring different types of cholesterol is so important.

    A ratio is simply a comparison between two numbers. A cholesterol ratio compares a person’s HDL cholesterol to the total cholesterol in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    How to Calculate Cholesterol Ratio

    This number is found by dividing the total amount of cholesterol by the HDL number. For example, if a person has an overall cholesterol level of 225 mg/dL and an HDL of 80 mg/dL, his or her cholesterol ratio is 2.8-to-1, also written as 2.8:1 or simplified to cholesterol ratio 2.8.

    A healthy cholesterol level is no more than 5:1, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. But the lower the ratio, the better. A ratio of 3.5:1 or lower is considered very good.

    However, Robert Eckel, MD, professor of medicine, emeritus, at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, former president of the American Heart Association and president of the American Diabetes Association, doesn’t think cholesterol ratios are the most accurate way to determine a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease.

    Warning

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    High Cholesterol Risk Factors

    High cholesterol is often caused by poor lifestyle habits, according to the AHA. An unhealthy diet , along with a lack of exercise and being overweight can lead to high cholesterol. Smoking cigarettes is also a major risk factor for raising LDL cholesterol.

    But there is good news. Because many high cholesterol risk factors are lifestyle related, lifestyle changes can reduce your risk, per the AHA. Healthy diet choices, exercising regularly, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking are some of the best things you can do to lower your cholesterol â and improve your overall health.

    Learn how to fill your plate with healthy, nutrient-dense foods by logging your meals on the MyPlate app. Download now to fine-tune your diet today!

    There are also non-lifestyle-related high cholesterol risk factors, per the AHA. These include genetics , older age and sex â men are more at risk for high cholesterol than women.

    If you’re concerned about your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes or medications that might help get your numbers into a healthy range.

    What Affects My Cholesterol Levels

    A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:

    • Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level rise. Saturated fat is the main problem, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level. Foods that have high levels of saturated fats include some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods.
    • Weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. Losing weight can help lower your LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It also raises your HDL cholesterol level.
    • Physical Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.
    • Smoking.Cigarette smoking lowers your HDL cholesterol. HDL helps to remove bad cholesterol from your arteries. So a lower HDL can contribute to a higher level of bad cholesterol.

    Things outside of your control that can also affect cholesterol levels include:

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    High Blood Cholesterol Levels

    Cholesterol is a type of fat that circulates in your blood. Too much of it increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

    The condition doesn’t have any obvious symptoms so blood tests are required to confirm if a person has high blood cholesterol.

    Changes to diet, regular exercise and other lifestyle changes can reduce cholesterol levels In some cases, people with persistent high blood cholesterol may be treated with cholesterol-lowering medication.

    If Your Ratio Of Triglycerides To Hdl Cholesterol Is High How Can You Lower It

    Cholesterol Levels Chart Women

    One of the most powerful solutions Ive found for promoting a healthy triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio is an extract from the citrus bergamot orange grown in the Calabria area of Italy. Research has shown it helps to lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol levels. Another important benefit is that it helps to reduce blood glucose levels.

    The research that turned me on to this nutrient was conducted by Italian pharmacobiologists in 2011. In their trial, they documented significant reductions in triglycerides and blood sugar, along with a solid boost for the group taking the extract from the citrus bergamot orange. Plus, lifestyle changes can also help your triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio.

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