Detecting HDL Cholesterol Levels in Tests

Blood tests are used to determine levels of cholesterol. Generally cholesterol tests are takenonce every five years in women 55 and older and in men 45 and over, unless the patient falls into a higher risk category. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood.

People that have a combined total of cholerterol from 200 mg/dl- 239 mg/dl is considered to be of borderline risk. An example of high risk would be a combined cholesterol LDL and HDL, of 240. Persons with a cholesterol level this high would have twice the risk of having a heart attack. In a high-risk category, an individual would be tested every two years or less.

Health Average HDL levels

Levels of HDL that are considered healthy for women are between 50-60 mg/dl and for men the healthy average levels are between 40-50 mg/dl.

Steps to Increase HDL Cholesterol

There are things that can be done to encourage healthy levels of HDL. For example by doing plenty of exercise, losing weight, eating more mono and polyunsaturated fats, fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition some people appear to benefit from the use of herbal supplements such as Guggul, curicumin, Policosanol, Pantethine, Fish oil, niacin and garlic. Avoiding highly processed food that seems to reduce HDL is also suggested. Highly processed foods like; corn syrup, refined sugars, sweet breakfast cereal, hard candy, bleached processed flour and white breads, have a detrimental effect on HDL levels.

High Levels of HDL

may provide protection against Metabolic Syndrome. Which is a group of disorders that seem to be a significant predictor in coronary heart disease? Metabolic Syndrome is generally diagnosed by using criteria of five factors that include diabetes, or impaired glucose levels, obesity and Dyslipidema that is evidenced by low cholesterol and HDL and average to low levels of LDL that occurs in smaller molecules of LDL in higher concentrations. This syndromes a dangerous condition that needs to be controlled often with drug therapy.

Drug Therapies to Raise HDL

Drug therapies are designed to treat high cholesterol by raising HDL. Fibrate drugs such as Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate, and Clofibrate raise HDL cholesterol levels. These treatments generally result in a 10%-30% increase in HDL In addition combination treatments can also be used. For example, Fibrate, Niacin, and bile acid binding resins are used at times in raising HDL cholesterol levels.

Caution needs to be exercised when medicating for cholesterol levels. The are many drug interactions to be considered and many of the drugs prescribed have side effects such as; gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, headache, drowsiness, muscle aches, and sleep problems.

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