Even if it causes some controversy from time to time, cholesterol is one of the most essential types of fat for our body. It is carried by two different lipoproteins called HDL and LDL because it is not soluble in water and does not mix with the blood by itself. LDL, also known as bad cholesterol among the people, is the lipoprotein that carries cholesterol in the bloodstream and its ratio in the blood is extremely important.
As a result of high LDL cholesterol, many vascular and heart diseases can be paved. Even if it seems normal to increase from time to time, it can be risky to talk about a constant height. For this reason, it may be necessary to measure it at certain intervals by blood analysis and to apply treatment if it cannot be reduced naturally. Let’s take a closer look at what LDL cholesterol is and look for the answer to the question of what low and high mean.
Let’s start with the basics, what is LDL cholesterol?
Cholesterol, which has an important role in the production of bile acids, is found in many different organs, especially the liver. Since it is a waxy oil that is insoluble in water and does not mix with the blood on its own, it is carried by molecules called lipoproteins. These are called HDL and LDL.
HDL lipoprotein is called good cholesterol because it carries cholesterol back to the liver for removal from the body. LDL lipoprotein, on the other hand, allows cholesterol to circulate in blood vessels. It is called bad cholesterol because many different cardiovascular diseases can occur due to the high level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is also known as LDL cholesterol for short.
What should be the ideal LDL cholesterol value?
The ideal LDL cholesterol value in a healthy adult should be below 130 mg/dL. Total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. Below 130 mg / dL is considered normal, between 130 – 159 mg / dL is in the borderline, and 160 mg / dL and above is considered risky. It is aimed to have a much lower LDL cholesterol value for those with cardiovascular disease, those who have had previous operations in this area and those with diabetes.
Should everyone have their LDL cholesterol measured?
Experts recommend that anyone over the age of 20 should have their LDL cholesterol measured at least every five years, even if they do not have any health problems. Already, LDL and HDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride are measured and evaluated together. If people have other diseases, they should have more frequent measurements.
What does a rare low LDL cholesterol mean?
In general, there is no such thing as low LDL cholesterol. Because it is desired that this value should be as low as possible. However, when physicians see a very low LDL cholesterol along with other values seen in the blood test, they may suspect different diseases and request new tests.
What does high LDL cholesterol, which is seen as an important risk, mean?
In general, LDL cholesterol value is expected to be 130 mg/dL and below in healthy individuals. As soon as it exceeds this value, the risk begins. The most dangerous threshold is above 160 mg / dL. People whose LDL cholesterol value exceeds this threshold are closely monitored as they are considered high risk.
High LDL cholesterol is considered a risk because it causes arteriosclerosis. Not all at once, but gradually over time, it can harden the arteries, causing heart attack, stroke, and kidney diseases. Every 10 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack by 20 percent.
So why does LDL cholesterol rise?
- Familial hyperlipidemia (high blood lipids)
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- kidney diseases
- Liver diseases
- Pancreatic inflammation
- Thyroid gland diseases
These are the diseases that cause LDL cholesterol to rise. In fact, the main reason for the increase in LDL cholesterol in general is one’s lifestyle. LDL cholesterol rises due to sedentary life, unhealthy diet and smoking. For this reason, it is recommended that people with high value make changes in their lifestyle first.
What are the symptoms of high LDL cholesterol?
- Oil glands around the eyes
- chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- feeling tired all the time
- feeling tired all the time
- dizziness
Some of the symptoms seen in people with high LDL cholesterol are like this, but most of the time the person doesn’t realize they have this type of problem until it’s too late. If some of the veins are too narrowed or hardened, regional pains may be seen. If there are affected heart vessels, chest pain may occur, and if there are affected leg vessels, leg pain may occur.
How to lower LDL cholesterol outside of medical treatment?
- Quit smoking.
- Lose weight and exercise regularly.
- Change your diet.
Quit smoking:
Smoking is the number one cause of arteriosclerosis, as it is the mother of all evils. In smokers, the vascular structure deteriorates, the probability of accumulation of cholesterol on the vessel wall increases, and therefore plaque forms. Just quitting smoking can reduce LDL cholesterol by 20 percent.
Lose weight and exercise regularly:
As the person’s excess weight increases, LDL cholesterol increases as well. Being overweight means that you are in poor health. This risk is much higher, especially in overweight people who have a sedentary lifestyle. Getting rid of excess weight by exercising regularly will have a positive effect on LDL cholesterol.
Change your diet:
Completely eliminate animal foods, delicatessen products, animal fats such as butter, offal, saturated fats, trans fats, fatty and bakery products from your life. Choose low-fat or non-fat dairy products. Go for vegetables, grains and legumes. Ensure that excess cholesterol is removed from the body by consuming foods rich in fiber.
When should I go to the doctor?
Since our body often does not show any symptoms until it is too late, no one goes to the doctor with the suspicion of LDL cholesterol. The best thing to do is to give blood tests regularly. In addition, you should know your body well and be examined when you feel something abnormal.
We answered questions such as what is LDL cholesterol, which you may be at great risk without being aware of, and what does its high and low mean. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Do not forget that you should get the most accurate and specific information about LDL cholesterol from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.
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