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If you’ve ever received the results of a cholesterol test, you might have wondered why there were three numbers for your cholesterol levels. Which one of them matters most and what do they mean, anyway?
As we get older, those numbers hold much more weight. Understanding them becomes very important.
According to the American Heart Association, cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that your body needs to carry out a wide variety of functions, such as building cells and making hormones. It’s produced naturally in the body and we also get it from the foods we eat. Cholesterol is not a bad thing – until it begins to build up to higher levels in the body. Then it becomes dangerous, leading to a higher risk of heart disease or stroke.1
What level is dangerous, what number is okay, and how do you know?
What Cholesterol Numbers Mean
Cholesterol can be measured with a simple blood test. When you get the test results, there will be a few numbers that matter most. Here’s what they are and what they mean, according to the CDC.2
· HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. This form of cholesterol binds to the excess cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver, where your body processes it and gets rid of it. By doing this, HDL cholesterol brings down your risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s why it’s known as the “good” cholesterol.
· LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. This is the number that really needs your attention. It’s the cholesterol that flows around in your bloodstream, builds up in the tissues, and can eventually wreak havoc on your blood vessels and heart. This is the number your doctor is targeting when they try to get your cholesterol levels under control.
There are three levels your doctor will check on your cholesterol test results: total, HDL, and LDL.3
· Total cholesterol: Anything below 200 mg/dL is good. Borderline high is 200 to 239 mg/dL. Anything over 240 mg/dL is considered high.
· HDL: Anything below 130 mg/dL is good.
· LDL: Ideally, this number should be between 100 and 129 mg/dL. Borderline high is 130 to 159 mg/dL, while high is 160 to 189 mg/dL. Once you hit 190 mg/dL or greater, that’s considered very high and warrants immediate attention.
Remember that the cholesterol numbers aren’t the single most important factor in your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. High cholesterol often goes hand-in-hand with other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, to take a long-term toll on your body.
Most of the time, high cholesterol levels are caused by certain lifestyle choices. If you smoke, drink to excess, don’t get enough exercise, and eat too many fatty foods, you can wind up with high cholesterol. There is also a genetic component; some individuals will have high cholesterol no matter what they do. In that case, medication could be the only answer to bring the numbers under control.
What Are Triglycerides and Why Should Seniors Care?
Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. When you eat something, your body uses the calories it needs right away, and it converts the rest into triglycerides. These are stored in your fat cells. When your body needs more energy, hormones trigger the release of those triglycerides.
This works like a well-oiled machine when you’re younger, but as you get older, things change. That’s especially true if you routinely take in more calories than you burn. As triglyceride levels build up, your risk of cardiovascular problems goes up too. High triglyceride levels can thicken the arteries, and very high levels can lead to painful inflammation of the pancreas.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the ranges for this measurement:4
· Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL
· Borderline: 150 to 199 mg/dL
· High: 200 to 499 mg/dL
· Very high: 500 mg/dL or higher
If your triglycerides are very high, your doctor will likely order another blood test to make sure the first one is accurate. If the second test comes back with the same result, your doctor might engage in aggressive treatment with medications to bring that number down, and ask you to make immediate changes in your diet and exercise routine.
How to Bring Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels Under Control
Lowering cholesterol isn’t simple. Bringing those numbers to an appropriate level requires lifestyle modifications and possibly medications.
For some, a particular prescription drug might not work at all or might interfere with other medications. That’s why it takes careful monitoring to find the right combination of lifestyle and medication that works best for you. When it comes to lifestyle changes, consider these options to bring your numbers into the range they need to be:
· Revamp your diet. Eating foods that are high in saturated fats can lead to higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The best way to avoid this is to load up your plate with veggies, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains. Following the Mediterranean Diet has proven to be an excellent way to get your health under better control.
· Get more exercise. The more you move, the more calories you burn, and that keeps your triglyceride levels low. The recommendation is 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week, which many people choose to break down into 30 minutes exercise sessions five times each week. What matters, however, is breaking those minutes down in a way that works best for you, so that you are getting the exercise you need to stay healthy. No matter when or how you get your exercise, remember to wear a personal alarm button for seniors.
· Lose weight. If you are watching your diet and exercising regularly, you are likely to lose weight. The less weight you are carrying, the better your cholesterol and triglyceride levels will be. Talk to your doctor about what your ideal weight should be and the best way to reach it. But remember, losing even a few pounds can help.
· Drink less alcohol. If you drink alcohol, consider that having more than one drink a day can lead to higher cholesterol levels. Your unique body chemistry can also play a role; for some, even one drink a day will make their levels rise. It might be a good idea to not indulge in alcoholic beverages until your numbers are under control, and then experiment with adding in an occasional drink with your doctor’s approval.
· Control chronic conditions. Certain conditions seem to make cholesterol and triglyceride levels more difficult to control. Kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid problems can directly affect those numbers. This is why it’s so important to keep any chronic conditions under control by taking your medications on time, every time and following all your doctor’s instructions to stay healthy. This is also a good time to consider a medical alert bracelet or wristband as your safety net against the problems that can come from some chronic conditions, such as dizziness, weakness, or fatigue (all of which create a greater fall risk).
· Stop smoking. Smoking and vaping can affect every part of your body, so it comes as no surprise that lighting up can lead to higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If you are a smoker, the time to quit is right now! Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs and medications that can help you achieve that goal.
· Manage your stress levels. Researchers have found a link between higher stress levels and higher cholesterol, though exactly why that link exists isn’t quite clear. What is clear, however, is that stressful situations can lead to overeating or reaching for the wrong types of foods, which can in turn lead to weight gain and other physical problems. Talk to your doctor about how to get stress under control so you can live a longer, healthier life.
· Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep can affect everything in your body, including the levels of lipids in your blood. Make sure to get at least seven hours of solid sleep each night. Listen to your body – if you need more than that, make a point of getting it.
· Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is vitally important for all systems of the body. When you are well-hydrated, everything works better, including your liver. This allows your liver to break down cholesterol and flush it from your system. The more dehydrated you are, the more likely your cholesterol numbers will be too high. Carry water with you to sip on throughout the day and remember, when you feel thirst, you are already dehydrated.
As you work to bring your cholesterol and triglyceride levels to where they should be (and tackle any other health conditions at the same time), an in-home or mobile medical alert system with fall detection and GPS can be your constant companion during your journey. If you ever suffer a medical emergency, accident, or injury, you can simply press the button and within moments, a friendly voice is on the line, ready to assist you. The fall detection option makes a difficult situation even easier by summoning help on your behalf, even if you cannot press the button yourself.
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels can be worrisome, but with lifestyle changes and medication, seniors can get these health issues under good control.
