How to Understand Your Lipid Profile Readings
August 24, 2009
Lipid profile is the reading that gives one the amount of cholesterol in the blood. This helps one to understand the risks involved in developing heart disease and getting heart attacks. It is good to understand the readings of a lipid profile test so that one can take suitable action to take care of one’s health.
Lipid profile test is usually done after a 12 hour fast period. This test gives readings of the total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol) and triglyceride, which is another form of fat in the blood. It is good to understand that total cholesterol readings of less than 200mg/dl is most desirable while a reading above 240mg/dl indicates high risk of heart diseases and heart attacks.
It is recommended that one has a lipid profile test done at least twice a year to understand if one has cholesterol. High cholesterol is generally not indicated by any symptoms and one may not even be aware of it before one sees the readings. High cholesterol leads to building of plaques on the walls of the arteries in the heart. Plaque means blockage of arteries that lead to lesser oxygen to the heart and angina pains in the initial stages and a heart attack in more severe cases.
So once one finds one’s cholesterol level high in one’s lipid profile readings one should make all attempts to bring down the cholesterol level and maintain it at optimum level. High triglyceride levels are quite common among Indians who eat a lot of carbohydrates and are also genetically more predisposed.
HDL or good cholesterol should be above 40mg/dl for women and should be above 50mg/dl for men. Those having lower lipid profile readings stand a higher chance of having heart attacks and diseases. Eating green leafy vegetables and fruits could also help one to increase one’s HDL reading in a lipid profile test. If one has lower HDL readings along with obesity it is best to include a lot of physical activity or start doing regular exercises daily.
LDL lipid profile readings indicating bad cholesterol should not be above 100mg/dl. A higher level of LDL above 130mg/dl indicates increased chances of heart attacks and heart diseases. The triglycerides level in a lipid profile reading should be below 150mg/dl for a person to be healthy. The best way to control triglycerides level in a lipid profile reading is by cutting on one’s carbohydrates.
Once one has understood one’s lipid profile readings it is time to take action. First one should reduce the saturated fats to lower one’s cholesterol level. Reducing one’s weight helps to lower one’s LDL (bad cholesterol) as well as total cholesterol readings. It also helps to increase one’s HDL (good cholesterol) and lower one’s triglyceride levels reading. Do not forget doing exercises daily for about 30 minutes that will help bring down your lipid profile readings.
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