Why is Cholesterol Monitoring Important?
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (or heart disease) is the leading cause of death in the United States. High cholesterol is one of the chief contributors to heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol level is associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular disease, which can begin in adolescence and can last for years with increasing severity. To maintain cardiovascular health it is essential to stay on top of your cholesterol levels.
There are two types of cholesterol, LDL, which is more commonly referred to as the bad cholesterol and HDL, the good cholesterol. Excess LDL cholesterol can lead to the development of plaque in the arteries which can strain blood flow and lead to a serious heart attack. If plaque breaks off, little pieces of plaque and clotted blood flow lodge in the brain and become a reason for stroke.
Which readings are alarming?
For adults over the age of 20, the desirable level is anything below 200 mg/dL. Any value between 200 to 239 mg/dL is a borderline high risk and values above 240 mg/dL are considered alarming for cardiovascular disease. If your value is above 200 mg/dL you immediately need to consult with your physician who might require you to do additional tests.
For adolescents younger than the age of 20, the desirable level is less than 170 mg/dL. Values between 170 to 199 mg/dL are a sign of concern, while any value over 200 mg/dL is considered a high risk zone for cardiovascular disease. If your age lies anywhere in this category and your cholesterol reading is above 170 mg/dL you need to consult with an expert physician immediately.
Monitoring your cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is often called a “silent killer” because there are usually no symptoms to warn you about your high cholesterol levels. That’s why it is imperative to monitor your readings regularly. One convenient way of doing is to talk to a telehealth expert, and get the right assistance while having your tests and readings monitored.
