Good And Bad Cholesterol Levels Australia
Approximately half of all adult australians have a blood cholesterol level above 5 mmol l.
Good and bad cholesterol levels australia. Hdl isn t as helpful as hoped hdl has long enjoyed a charmed reputation. Ldl is still the bad cholesterol and a good result is under 130 mg dl. High levels of ldl cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke. In australia cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per litre mmol l.
As a guide health authorities recommend cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5 5 mmol per litre if there are no other risk factors present or ldl levels less than 2 mmol l for those who smoke have high blood pressure or pre existing heart disease. Ldl bad cholesterol should be between. 0 9 2 1 mmol l. If these deposits break apart they can form a clot that leads to a heart attack or stroke.
However people who are considered at high risk such as those who have had a heart attack should aim for ldl less than 1 8 mmol l. Total cholesterol is a measure that includes good and bad cholesterol. The liver then flushes it from the body. Ldl low density lipoprotein sometimes called bad cholesterol makes up most of your body s cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes and medication can both help and you re very likely to be prescribed medication if your ldl is above 190 mg dl. Total cholesterol hdl cholesterol ldl cholesterol triglycerides. 3 9 5 5 mmol l. The best way to understand these levels and your risk for heart disease is to see your gp for a heart.
Total cholesterol should be between. It s not always the best measure of your risk of heart disease on its own. Effects of high cholesterol levels the liver is the main processing centre for cholesterol and dietary fat. Hdl good cholesterol should be between.
Hdl high density lipoprotein or good cholesterol absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. Australian guidelines state that people who need to be treated for high cholesterol should aim for ldl bad cholesterol levels lower than 2 0 mmol l. Less than 200 but the lower the better ideal is 60 or higher. 40 or higher for men and 50 or higher for women is acceptable.
4 0 mmol l individuals at high risk 5 5 mmol l general population low density lipoprotein cholesterol ldl. This makes high blood cholesterol a major health concern in australia.