- 1. HDL cholesterol
- 2. LDL cholesterol
- Maximum recommended LDL cholesterol values
- 3. VLDL cholesterol
- 4. Total cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for the proper functioning of the body. However, having high blood cholesterol levels is not always good and can even cause an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack or stroke.
To understand whether high cholesterol is bad or not a problem, it is necessary to correctly interpret the blood test, as there are 3 values that must be well evaluated:
- Total cholesterol: this value indicates the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, that is, the amount of HDL + LDL cholesterol; HDL cholesterol: it is known as the "good" type of cholesterol, because it is linked to a protein that transports it from the blood to the liver, where it is eliminated in the feces, if it is in excess; LDL cholesterol: it is the popular "bad" cholesterol, which is linked to a protein that transports it from the liver to cells and veins, where it ends up accumulating and can cause cardiovascular problems.
Thus, if total cholesterol is high, but HDL cholesterol levels are above the recommended reference values, it usually does not indicate a high risk of disease, since excess cholesterol will be eliminated by the liver. However, if total cholesterol is high, but this is due to the presence of an LDL value higher than the reference values, excess cholesterol will be stored in cells and veins, instead of being eliminated, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
In summary, the higher the HDL value and the lower the LDL value, the lower the risk of having a cardiovascular problem.
See better what each type of cholesterol means and what the recommended levels are:
1. HDL cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol, so it is the only one that must be kept high in the bloodstream. It is produced by the body, being fundamental for the proper functioning of the body, so it is good to always have it above 40 mg / dl, and ideally it is above 60 mg / dl.
| HDL cholesterol (good) |
Low: less than 40 mg / dl |
Good: above 40 mg / dl |
Ideal: above 60 mg / dl |
How to increase: To increase HDL cholesterol levels you must have a varied and healthy diet and exercise regularly. In addition, it is also important to avoid risk factors such as smoking or drinking alcohol in excess.
Understand more about HDL cholesterol and how to increase it.
2. LDL cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is "bad" cholesterol. It is considered high when it is 130 mg / dL or higher for most people, however, in some cases, stricter controls are needed, especially if the person has had a cardiovascular problem in the past or if they have any other risk factors. risk such as being a smoker, being overweight or not exercising.
When the LDL cholesterol level is high, fat deposits begin to form on the walls of blood vessels, forming fatty plaques that, over time, can hinder the passage of blood and lead to a heart attack or stroke, for example.
How to decrease it: to decrease LDL cholesterol in the blood, you should follow a diet low in sugar and fat and practice some physical activity at least 3 times a week. However, when these attitudes alone are not enough, the doctor may recommend the use of drugs to reduce their levels. Learn more about LDL cholesterol and ways to lower it.
Maximum recommended LDL cholesterol values
The LDL value should always be as low as possible and that is why, for the general population, LDL should be kept below 130 mg / dl. However, people who are at a high risk of having a cardiovascular problem benefit from having even lower levels of LDL.
Thus, the maximum values for LDL vary according to the cardiovascular risk of each person:
| Cardiovascular risk | Recommended maximum LDL cholesterol | For whom |
| Low cardiovascular risk | up to 130 mg / dl | Young people, without disease or with well-controlled hypertension, with LDL between 70 and 189 mg / dl. |
| Intermediate cardiovascular risk | up to 100 mg / dl | People with 1 or 2 risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, controlled arrhythmia, or diabetes that is early, mild and well controlled, among others. |
| High cardiovascular risk | up to 70 mg / dl | People with cholesterol plaques in the vessels seen by ultrasound, abdominal aortic aneurysm, chronic kidney disease, with LDL> 190mg / dl, diabetes for more than 10 years or with multiple risk factors, among others. |
| Very high cardiovascular risk | up to 50 mg / dl | People with angina, heart attack, stroke or other type of arterial obstruction due to atherosclerosis plaques, or with any serious arterial obstruction observed in the exam, among others. |
Cardiovascular risk should be determined by the cardiologist during the consultation after observing the necessary tests and clinical evaluation. Normally, people with a sedentary lifestyle, who do not eat properly, who are overweight and who have other risk factors such as smoking or drinking alcohol, have a high cardiovascular risk and therefore must have a low LDL.
Another simpler way to calculate cardiovascular risk is to perform a waist-to-hip ratio. Although this relationship can be done at home to get a sense of cardiovascular risk, the consultation with the cardiologist should not be delayed, as it is necessary to make a more detailed assessment.
Calculate your cardiovascular risk here using the waist-to-hip ratio:
3. VLDL cholesterol
VLDL cholesterol transports triglycerides and also increases the risk of heart disease. The reference values of the VLDL are usually:
| VLDL cholesterol | High | Low | Ideal |
| above 40 mg / dl | below 30 mg / dl | up to 30 mg / dl |
However, in the latest recommendations from the Brazilian cardiology society, VLDL values are not considered relevant, with non-HDL cholesterol values being more important, whose target should be 30 mg / dl above LDL.
4. Total cholesterol
Total cholesterol is the sum of HDL, LDL and VLDL. Having high total cholesterol represents a high risk of cardiovascular disease and, therefore, its values should not exceed 190 mg / dl.
Total cholesterol above 190 is less of a concern if your LDL values are normal, but you should take precautions, such as reducing your intake of high-fat foods to prevent your cholesterol from getting too high and damaging your health. A good tip is to reduce your consumption of red meats. The reference values for cholesterol are:
| Total cholesterol | Desirable: <190 mg / dl |
Find out what to do to lower cholesterol in the following video:
