Find your next home with Luxist's "Estate of the Day"

Get to know your cholesterol

Posted: Sep 3rd 2008 3:30PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Fitness, Food and Nutrition, General Health, Healthy Aging, Women's Health

According to a report by the Society for Women's Research, seventy-four percent of women ages 18 to 44 don't have even a clue as to what their cholesterol numbers are. Clearly this is a problem, as high cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, the number one killer of women.

So, what should your numbers be? I'd suggest that you talk to your doctor to find out the answer to this question. In the meantime, here's a pretty good guide:

Total Cholesterol (HDL + LDL + Triglycerides): You should aim to keep it less than 200 mg/dL.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): Try to keep this bad cholesterol at a level of less than 100 mg/dL.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): Keeping this good cholesterol at around 50 mg/dL or higher is a good idea.

Triglycerides: Keep these energy-storing fatty acids at a level of less than 150 mg/dL.

Related Headlines



That's Fit Features



How many calories burned? What is my BMI?
More weight loss tools!


Daily Fit Tip

Many of us can't run five days a week. At least not forever, especially after injury creep sets in ...

 

Featured Stories

Sponsored Links

Most Commented On (60 days)

Recent Comments


Sites We Love

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: