More than a million people in the country suffer from unfortunate heart diseases, and about half of these Americans die from them. Blood cholesterol level is one of the important factors behind having a heart attack. High cholesterol levels maximize the risk of having a heart disease or unfortunately dying from them. This article attempts to familiarize its readers with the basics of cholesterol levels which they might notice in their test results so that they can take the necessary precautions at the right time.

One might notice that when several cooking products like oils are marketed, the manufacturer emphasizes the low cholesterol levels in their products. This is because the cholesterol levels in the blood are associated with the heart diseases one can face. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance which when gets too high, starts building up in the walls of the arteries and partially or fully block the path of the bloodstream to the heart. The blood carries oxygen to the heart. So if the flow of blood to the heart is slowed down, the heart receives no oxygen, thereby causing chest pains, heart attacks etc. Unfortunately, youngsters, middle-aged and older adults are all prone to heart attacks and so it is necessary to check the level of cholesterol regularly.

Cholesterol numbers
While going through the report depicting your cholesterol levels, it is common to get confused with all the numbers mentioned on the chart. Doctors recommend everyone above the age of 20 to get their cholesterol levels measured once in every five years and yet the number of people who fail to commit to it is surprising. The cholesterol report generally comprises four components with a simultaneous number attached to it. These are as follows

• Total cholesterol – As the name suggests, it measures the total amount of cholesterol level in the body. If the total cholesterol level is lower than 200mg/dl then it is categorized as desirable.
•   Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) – It is commonly termed as ‘bad’ cholesterol as it is the main reason behind building up of cholesterol and blocking the arteries. If the level of LDL is lower than 100 mg/dl, it is considered optimal and it is between 189-190 mg/dl, then it is categorized as very high.  
• High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) – HDL can be termed as good cholesterol, and it suggests that higher the level of high-density cholesterol, the better it is. A level of HDL lower than 40 mg/dl is very low, and it increases the probability of having a heart disease. Whereas, HDL level of60 mg/dl and more is better because it lowers the risk of having a heart attack.  
• Triglycerides – A high level of triglycerides has a positive correlation with a higher chance of coronary artery disease. Triglycerides level of <150 is categorized as normal.

The ideal diet
A recent publication of Harvard University suggests that patients with high cholesterol levels can treat themselves by having a proper diet which strongly dismisses those products which raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and chooses food products which lower the existing level of LDL.

• Cereal – The best breakfast recommended by doctors and nutritionists is having a bowl of oatmeal with fruits like bananas or strawberries and nuts. The current recommended level of getting fiber is 20 to 35 grams a day. Surprisingly, Americans consume only half of that.
• Whole grains – Barley and other whole grains are just like oatmeal that contains a good level of soluble fiber. This can reduce the probability by a large amount. And these items are also easy to get o the market.
• Beans – Why are kidney beans, lentils, black-eyed peas, popular among people trying to manage their weight? All beans take long hours to digest and so the person does not feel hungry for long hours. But these beans are also good for controlling cholesterol levels in the blood because they are rich in soluble fiber. Eggplants and okra are two vegetables also contain a good amount of fiber.
• Cooking oils –To keep a healthy heart and avoid high cholesterol issues, use extra virgin or virgin olive oil.

Keeping a healthy heart is the priority in maintaining a healthy life. But it is to be reminded that the doctor alone cannot help the patient with his disease; the doctor needs the patient’s cooperation as well. And this can be done by controlling the diet of the patient and quitting hazardous activities like smoking. It is fascinating how all these natural ways along with the prescribed medicines help to bring down the cholesterol levels in the blood.