The Surprising Truth About Cholesterol

Cholesterol has a bad reputation; however, high cholesterol does not stand for a cardiovascular event. Just having high cholesterol doesn't mean you will get a heart attack or stroke. 

In this article, I’d like to help you understand cholesterol; and why it’s not all bad… 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CHOLESTEROL IN THE HUMAN BODY?

Cholesterol is necessary for human health and lack of cholesterol can cause bad health, premature ageing, and early death. 

Major heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol factors. 

Doctors tell you to watch your cholesterol because it’s a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and it can put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. They base it on the expectation that most people who have a heart attack or a stroke would have high cholesterol, but that is far from the truth. 

Read more about why cholesterol is important for your health in this article about the dangers of lowering cholesterol indiscriminately. 

CHOLESTEROL LEVELS: WHAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL CHOLESTEROL? 

Cholesterol gets classified in three different stages - and in two different types. 

THE THREE STAGES OF CHOLESTEROL 

• Optimal cholesterol levels

• Intermediate cholesterol levels

• High levels of cholesterol

In Canada, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per litre - in the US, it’s in milligram per decilitre. 

THE TWO TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL 

The medical world discerns to different types of cholesterol: 

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

LDL particles are carried to body cells from the liver. HDL particles move the other way, returning extra cholesterol to the liver for disposal.

CHOLESTEROL LEVELS: NUMBERS AND GUIDELINES 

Health Canada suggests the following guidelines for cholesterol levels: 

• Total cholesterol: less than 5.2 millimole per litre (mmol/L) Is ideal and more than 6.2 mmol/L is considered high.

• HDL cholesterol: more than 0.9 mmol/L is desirable.

• LDL cholesterol: less than 3.5 mmol/L is considered ideal and more than 4.0 mmol/L is high.

Intermediate numbers are anywhere between 5.3 and 6.2. These numbers, especially for people above 60 are quite healthy. LDL cholesterol (supposedly bad cholesterol) is what is considered optimal with less than 3.3.5 mmol/L or 130 milligrams per decilitre. 

Lots of people who've had a heart attack or were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease had much lower levels than these. Doctors are looking for 2.4 less than 2.4 mmol/L or less than 2 mmol/L, which is equal to 92 or 90 milligrams per decilitre. 

ASK A WELLNESS DOCTOR

After reading this, how worried are you about cholesterol levels? Do you have any other questions about cholesterol, or about cardiovascular events like a heart attack or a stroke? 

Ask your question in the comments below - or get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to help you out! 

In the meantime, check out my ebook, “The Dangers of Low Cholesterol” (available for free on my website).