High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your bloodstream. There are 2 types, one that is beneficial to your health and one that contributes to CHD if you have too much of it in your blood:

• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is “good” cholesterol, and higher levels are better.
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is “bad” cholesterol, and lower levels are better.

Another type of fatty substance in your blood, called triglyceride, also can promote CHD if the level is too high.

Foods that are high in fat or cholesterol can increase your blood levels of LDL and triglyceride. Eating the right types of food can lower these levels and actually raise your level of the good cholesterol, HDL. Check food labels to see how much fat and cholesterol are in the food you eat.

A blood test is needed to determine what levels of these substances you have in your bloodstream. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL. The chart below shows what those levels should be for women, according to the American Heart Association: