What is "bad" and "good" cholesterol in the blood? What is cholesterol and why do we need it

Cholesterol (CH) is the substance from which the human body forms atherosclerotic plaques. They are the cause of the manifestation, which is a very dangerous disease.

What is cholesterol can also be judged by the meaning of this word, which is translated from Greek as “solid bile”.

Substance belonging to the class lipids comes with food. However, in this way, only an insignificant part of cholesterol enters the body - approximately 20% of cholesterol a person receives mainly from animal products. The rest, more significant part of this substance (about 80%), is produced in the human liver.

In the human body, pure Chl is present only in small amounts, being part of lipoproteins. These compounds may have a low density (so-called bad LDL cholesterol ) and high density (so-called good HDL cholesterol ).

What should be the normal level of cholesterol in, as well as good and bad cholesterol - what it is, you can learn from this article.

Cholesterol: good, bad, total

The fact that if the indicators of Xc are above the norm, it is harmful, they say very often and actively. Therefore, many people have the impression that the lower the cholesterol, the better. But in order for all systems in the body to function normally, this substance is very important. It is important that a person's cholesterol remains normal throughout life.

It is customary to distinguish the so-called bad and good cholesterol. Low cholesterol (bad) - one that settles on the walls inside the vessels and forms plaques. It has a low or very low density, combines with special types of protein - apoproteins . As a result, they form fat-protein complexes of VLDL . It is in the event that the LDL rate rises that a health-threatening condition is noted.

VLDL - what it is, the norm of this indicator - all this information can be obtained from a specialist.

Now the norm of LDL in men and the norm of LDL in women after 50 years and at a younger age is determined by conducting tests for cholesterol and is expressed by various laboratory methods, the units of definition are mg / dl or mmol / l. You need to understand, when determining LDL, that this is a value that a specialist should analyze and prescribe the appropriate treatment if LDL cholesterol is elevated. What this means depends on the indicators. So, in healthy people, this indicator is considered normal at a level below 4 mmol / l (160 mg / dl).

If a blood test indicates that cholesterol is elevated, what to do should be asked by a doctor. As a rule, if the value of such cholesterol is increased, this means that the patient will be prescribed, or this condition should be treated with medications.

Ambiguous is the question of whether to take pills for cholesterol. It should be noted that statins do not eliminate the causes in connection with which cholesterol rises. We are talking about, low mobility,. only suppress the production of this substance in the body, but at the same time they provoke numerous side effects. Sometimes cardiologists say that the use of statins is more dangerous for the body than elevated rates.

• In people with coronary artery disease who have had or, cholesterol levels must be below 2.5 mmol/l or 100 mg/dl.
• Those who do not suffer from heart disease, but at the same time have more than two of any risk factors, need to maintain cholesterol at the level of 3.3 mmol / l or below 130 mg / dl.

Bad cholesterol is opposed to the so-called good - HDL cholesterol. What is High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol? It is an indispensable substance for the body, as it collects bad cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels, after which it contributes to its removal to the liver, where it is destroyed. Many are interested: if HDL is lowered, what does this mean? It should be borne in mind that this condition is dangerous, since atherosclerosis develops not only against the background of elevated low-density cholesterol, but also if LDL is reduced. If HDL cholesterol is elevated, what does this mean, you need to ask a specialist.

That is why the most undesirable option in adults is when the level of bad Xc is increased and the useful one is lowered. According to statistics, about 60% of people of mature age have this combination of indicators. And the sooner it is possible to determine such indicators and properly treat, the lower the risk of developing dangerous diseases.

Good cholesterol, unlike bad cholesterol, is produced only by the body, so it will not work to increase its level by consuming certain foods.

The norm of good cholesterol in women is slightly higher than normal HDL cholesterol in men. The most important recommendation on how to increase its level in the blood is as follows: it is necessary to practice physical activity, during which its production increases. Even if you do ordinary exercises every day at home, this will help not only increase HDL, but also reduce bad cholesterol, which enters the body with food.

If a person took food in which the cholesterol content is very high, in order to activate its excretion, it is necessary to ensure the active work of the muscles of all groups.

Thus, for those who seek to restore the norm of LDL and HDL, it is necessary:

• move more (especially for those who have had a heart attack, stroke);
• exercise moderately;
• practice enhanced physical activity (in the absence of contraindications).

You can also increase the level of good Xc by taking a small dose of alcohol. However, in no case should it be more than one glass of dry wine per day.

It is important to take into account that excessive load threatens to suppress the synthesis of Chs.

In order to correctly decipher the blood test, one should take into account what is the norm of cholesterol in the blood of a person.

There is a table of cholesterol norms for women by age, from which, if necessary, you can find out what is the norm of cholesterol in women after 50 years, what is considered the norm in women at a young age. Accordingly, the patient can independently determine whether she has high or low cholesterol and consult a doctor who will help find out the reasons for her low or high level. It is the doctor who determines what the treatment, diet should be.

• The norm of blood cholesterol for women and men according to HDL, if the condition of the heart and blood vessels is normal, is above 1 mmol / l or 39 mg / dl.
• In people with coronary artery disease who have had a stroke or heart attack, the rate should be 1-1.5 mmol / l or 40-60 mg / dl.

The analysis also determines the norm of total cholesterol in women and men, that is, how good and bad cholesterol correlates.

Total cholesterol in the blood should be no more than 5.2 mmol / l or 200 mg / dl.

If the norm in young men is even slightly exceeded, then this must be considered a pathology.

There is also a table of cholesterol norms for men by age, according to which the norm of cholesterol in men is easily determined, its indicators at different ages. From the corresponding table, you can find out which norm of hdl-cholesterol is considered optimal

Nevertheless, in order to determine whether the level in men and women is actually normal for this indicator, first of all, you need to do a blood test, which makes it possible to find out the content of total cholesterol, as well as the content of other indicators - low or high sugar, etc.

After all, even if the norm of total cholesterol is noticeably exceeded, it is impossible to determine the symptoms or special signs of such a condition. That is, a person does not even realize that the norm is exceeded, and his blood vessels are clogged or narrowed, until he begins to notice that he has heart pain, or until a stroke or heart attack occurs.

Therefore, even for a healthy person of any age, it is important to take tests and control whether the permissible cholesterol level is exceeded. Also, each person should carry out the prevention of an increase in these indicators in order to avoid the development of atherosclerosis and other serious ailments in the future.

Who needs to control cholesterol

If a person is healthy, he does not show negative symptoms, he does not need to think about the state of the vessels or check if the level is normal cholesterin takes place in the body. That is why patients often do not even know about the increased level of this substance at first.

It is especially necessary to carefully and regularly measure this indicator for those who suffer from hypertension, who have problems with the heart and blood vessels. In addition, indications for regular tests have the following categories:

• people who smoke;
• those who are sick hypertension ;
• overweight people;
• patients suffering from ailments of the cardiovascular system;
• those who prefer a sedentary life;
• women after;
• men after reaching the age of 40;
• elderly people.

Those who need to have their blood tested for cholesterol should ask the appropriate specialist how to take a cholesterol test. The blood formula, including the cholesterol content, is determined. How to donate blood for cholesterol? Such an analysis is carried out in any clinic, for this, approximately 5 ml of blood is taken from the cubital vein. Those who are interested in how to properly donate blood should take into account that before these indicators are determined, the patient should not eat for half a day. Also, in the period before blood donation, you should not practice intense physical activity.

There is also a special test for home use. These are disposable test strips that are easy to use. The portable analyzer is used by people with lipid metabolism disorders.

How to decipher a blood test

You can find out if total cholesterol is elevated by doing a blood test in the laboratory. If total cholesterol is elevated, what does it mean, how to act, and the doctor will explain everything about the treatment. But you can try to decipher the results of the analyzes yourself. To do this, you need to know that biochemical analysis contains three indicators: LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.

Lipidogram is a comprehensive study that allows you to assess lipid metabolism in the body, which allows you to determine how lipid metabolism occurs and calculate the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

The correct interpretation of the blood lipid profile is also important from the point of view of assessing the need for taking statins, the daily dose of such drugs. Statins are drugs that have many side effects, while their price is quite high. Therefore, based on what it is - a lipid profile, this analysis allows you to find out what human blood consists of and prescribe the most effective therapy for the patient.

After all, total cholesterol is an indicator that in itself does not make it possible to clearly assess the likelihood of atherosclerosis in a patient. If total cholesterol is elevated, what to do can be assessed by the full range of diagnostic indicators. Therefore, the following indicators are determined:

• HDL (alpha cholesterol) - it is determined whether high-density lipoproteins are increased or decreased. It is taken into account, when determining the parameters of β-lipoproteins, that this substance performs a protective function, preventing the development of atherosclerosis.
• LDL - low density lipoproteins are increased or decreased. The higher the beta-cholesterol index, the more the atherosclerotic process is activated.
• VLDL - very low density lipoproteins, thanks to which exogenous lipids are transported in plasma. Synthesized by the liver, they are the main precursor of LDL. VLDL are actively involved in the production of atherosclerotic plaques.
• Triglycerides are esters of higher fatty acids and glycerol. This is a transport form of fats, therefore, their high content also increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

What should be normal cholesterol is determined depending on age, it can be different for women and men. In addition, it is important to understand that there is no exact number by which the cholesterin norm is indicated. There are only recommendations on what the index should be. Therefore, if the indicator differs and deviates from the range, then this is evidence of some kind of disease.

However, those who are going to take the analysis should take into account that certain errors may be allowed during the analysis. The data of the study showed that such errors are allowed in 75% of the country's laboratories. What if you are striving to get an accurate result? It is best to do such analyzes in those laboratories that are certified by the All-Russian Central Council (Invitro, etc.)

The norm of cholesterol in women

• Normally, in women, the total chol index is 3.6-5.2 mmol / l;
• Xc, moderately elevated - 5.2 - 6.19 mmol / l;
• Cs, increased significantly - from more than 6.19 mmol / l.
• LDL cholesterol: normal - 3.5 mmol / l, elevated - from 4.0 mmol / l.
• HDL cholesterol: the normal value is 0.9-1.9 mmol / l, a level below 0.78 mmol / l is considered hazardous to health.

Norm of cholesterol in men

• Normally, the total Chol in men is 3.6-5.2 mmol / l;
• LDL cholesterol is a normal indicator - 2.25-4.82 mmol / l;
• HDL cholesterol is a normal indicator - 0.7-1.7 mmol / l.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a specific type of fat found in human blood. They are the main source of energy and the most common type of fat in the body. A detailed blood test determines the amount of triglycerides. If it is normal, then these fats are beneficial for the body.

As a rule, triglycerides in the blood are elevated in those who consume a large number of kilocalories than they burn. At elevated levels, the so-called metabolic syndrome , in which high blood pressure is noted, blood sugar is increased, there is a low content of good cholesterin, and there is also a large amount of fat around the waist. This condition increases the likelihood of developing diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

The norm of triglycerides is 150 mg / dl. The norm of triglycerides in women in the blood, as in men, is exceeded if the rate is more than 200 mg / dl. However, the rate is up to 400 mg / dl. marked as valid. A high level is considered to be an indicator of 400-1000 mg / dl. very high - from 1000 mg / dl.

If triglycerides are lowered, what does this mean, you need to ask your doctor. This condition is observed in lung diseases, cerebral infarction, parenchymal damage, myasthenia gravis, when taken, etc.

What is the coefficient of atherogenicity

Many are interested in what is the coefficient of atherogenicity in a biochemical blood test? Atherogenic coefficient commonly referred to as the proportional ratio of good and total cholesterin. This indicator is the most accurate display of the state of lipid metabolism in the body, as well as an assessment of the likelihood of atherosclerosis and other ailments. To calculate the atherogenic index, you need to subtract the HDL index from the total cholesterol index, after which this difference is divided by HDL.

The norm for women and the norm for men of this indicator is as follows:

• 2-2.8 - young people under 30;
• 3-3.5 - the norm for people over 30 years old who do not have signs of atherosclerosis;
• from 4 - an indicator characteristic of people suffering from coronary artery disease.

If the coefficient of atherogenicity is below normal, then this is not a cause for concern. Conversely, if the coefficient is lowered, then the risk of atherosclerosis in a person is low.

It is important to pay attention to the patient's condition if the atherogenic coefficient is elevated. What is it and how to act in this case, the specialist will tell. If the patient has an increased atherogenic coefficient, the reasons for this are due to the fact that bad cholesterol is increased in the body. What to do in such a situation? First of all, you need to contact a qualified doctor who will adequately assess the atherogenic index. What this means can only be clearly assessed and explained by a specialist.

atherogenicity - this is the main criterion for monitoring how effective hypercholesterolemia therapy is. You should strive to restore the norm of lipoproteins. At the same time, it is important to ensure not only a decrease in total cholesterin, but also an increase in high-density lipoproteins. Therefore, the decoding of the blood lipid spectrum provides that β-lipoproteins, the norm for women and men of which, as already indicated, is different, must be taken into account when assessing the patient's condition.

Other studies in high cholesterol

If there is a risk of atherosclerosis, it is determined not only in lipoproteins (the norm in the blood), but also other important indicators, in particular, the norm of PTI in the blood in women and men. PTI - this is the prothrombin index, one of the most important factors of the coagulogram, the study of the state of the blood coagulation system.

However, at present in medicine there is a more stable indicator - INR , which stands for international normalization relation. With an increased rate, there is a risk of bleeding. If the INR is elevated, what does this mean, the specialist will explain in detail.

The determination of hgb () is also important, since with a high level of cholesterol, hemoglobin values ​​\u200b\u200bcan be very high, and this increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, thrombosis, etc. You can find out from a specialist how much hemoglobin should be normal.

Other indicators and markers (he4), etc. are determined in people with high cholesterol, if necessary.

What to do to normalize cholesterol?

Many people, having received the test results and found out that they have cholesterol 7 or cholesterol 8, simply have no idea what to do. The basic rule in this case is as follows: a clinical blood test should be deciphered by a specialist whose recommendations should be followed. That is, if low-density lipoproteins are elevated, what it is, the doctor should explain. In the same way, if there is low cholesterol in the blood, what does this mean, you should ask a specialist.

As a rule, it is important that it be strictly observed in men as well as in women. It is easy to understand in her conditions. It is enough just not to consume foods with saturated fats, and dangerous dietary cholesterol. Some important tips to keep in mind:

• significantly reduce the amount of animal fats in the diet;
• reduce portions of fatty meat, remove skin from poultry before consumption;
• reduce portions of butter, mayonnaise, sour cream with high fat content;
• prefer boiled rather than fried foods;
• you can eat eggs without abusing;
• the diet should contain a maximum of healthy fiber (apples, beets, legumes, carrots, cabbage, kiwi, etc.);
• it is useful to consume vegetable oils, fish.

If Сholesterin is elevated at, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations very clearly - it is he who will tell you which nutrition scheme is most relevant in this case.

Seeing cholesterol 6.6 or cholesterol 9 in the test results, what to do, the patient should ask a specialist. It is likely that the doctor will prescribe treatment, guided by the individual indicators of the patient.

It should be clearly remembered that the normal level of Chl is the key to the health of your blood vessels and heart, and do everything to improve these indicators.

Normal fat metabolism takes place if the indicators are close to the following values.

For more information on cholesterol testing, see the video:

High cholesterol is diagnosed in pregnant women. Sometimes a high content of a substance is determined in childhood, especially if there are often stressful situations in the family or there are violations in a complete diet.

The main signs of high cholesterol are:

• Cardiopalmus.
• Pain in the lower limbs.
• Angina.
• Numbness of the legs.
• Yellowness near the eyes (in medical terminology - xanthoma).
• Cold feet.
• Trophic changes in the skin.
• General weakness.
• Loss of normal performance.
• Difficulty walking.

Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and hypertension are considered undesirable consequences of a high content of a substance in the blood.

Cholesterol reduction is considered to be a level at which HDL is below 0.9 mmol per liter. A decrease in the substance in the blood is observed in the following diseases:

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Severe lung disease (sarcoidosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis)
• Typhus
• Sepsis
• Enhanced function
• Severe burns
• (megaloblastic, sideroblastic, malignant)
• Fever for a long time
• Diseases of the central nervous system
• Tangier disease
• Malabsorption
• Hypoproteinemia
• obstructive lung disease

Depletion of the body, prolonged starvation, malignant tumors, inflammation in soft tissues, which are accompanied by suppuration, provoke a decrease in cholesterol.

Symptoms of low cholesterol include:

• Aches in the joints.
• Decreased appetite.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Weakness in the muscles.
• Aggressiveness and irritability.
• Apathy and depression of the patient.
• Decrease in memory, attention, other psychological reflexes.
• Senile insanity (in elderly patients).

Also, with a reduced content of the substance, there may be a liquid oily stool, which is called steatorrhea in medicine.

Low cholesterol can lead to a serious disease - ischemia of the heart.

Pathology develops especially often with factors such as obesity, bad habits, inactivity, arterial hypertension. Such a condition, often when ignoring the recommendations of specialists, can provoke a brain stroke, a depressive state.

Another negative phenomenon with low cholesterol is considered to be a disturbed assimilation process, which affects the bones, making them brittle. It is important to note that the density and elasticity of the walls of blood vessels decreases. With a decrease in cholesterol, there is a risk of developing bronchial asthma, tumor processes in the liver, stroke, emphysema.People with low levels of this substance are more prone to various addictions, including drug and alcohol.

How to normalize the level

To normalize cholesterol levels, a specialist can prescribe medications of the following groups:

1. Statins. These drugs are effective in lowering cholesterol levels. These medicines effectively block the production of a substance that reduces the synthesis of cholesterol in the body and its absorption. These drugs include Pravastin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Fluvastatin sodium, Lovastatin.
2. Aspirin. Preparations based on this substance effectively thin the blood, which helps to avoid the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
3. Bile acid sequestrants. Among the popular means of this group are Simgal, Atoris.
4. diuretic drugs. Helps to remove excess substances from the body.
5. fibrates. These funds effectively increase HDL. Phenofabrite is considered common in this regard.
6. Cholesterol absorption mimics. Promote the absorption of lipoproteins. Ezetrol is considered an effective drug of this group.
7. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations. To normalize cholesterol levels, it is important to consume nicotinic acid, as well as vitamins B and C. They reduce the amount of low-density lipoproteins and help improve vascular tone.
8. Phytopreparations for the normalization of cholesterol in the blood. In a pharmacy, you can buy a medicine containing an extract of the Caucasian Dioscorea - Polyspanin. Another herbal remedy is Alistat, which is made from garlic.

You can normalize your cholesterol levels with a prescription for alternative medicine. For this, decoctions from the following medicinal plants are used:

• Hawthorn
• black elderberry
• silvery cinquefoil
• Basil
• Motherwort
• canadian goldenseal
• Elecampane
• yarrow
• Artichoke
• Valerian
• Dill seeds

In order to prepare decoctions from these plants, you need to pour a tablespoon of raw materials with a cup of boiling water and insist for twenty minutes. It is recommended to add honey to these decoctions for internal use.

You can prepare at home a remedy similar to Alistat. To do this, chop the garlic, add it to honey and chopped lemon.

In order to normalize the indicators of a substance in the body, it is important to follow an appropriate diet. Patients are advised to give up fatty foods with high cholesterol levels in the blood. Light vegetable salads, sour-milk products, low-fat meat and fish, various cereals, skim milk, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, as well as raw vegetables and fresh fruits are considered good nutrition in this condition.

To increase the rate, foods such as nuts, fatty fish, butter, caviar, eggs, beef and pork meat, as well as brains, liver and kidneys, hard cheese, and seeds are used.To normalize cholesterol, it is recommended to give up bad habits, walk more often in the fresh air, lead a mobile lifestyle, and exercise.

What is serum alpha cholesterol?

Alpha cholesterol or in other words, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is the remnants of serum cholesterol. All this happens only when apo-beta lipoproteins have already had time to settle. What can be said about beta proteins is that they have a low density. It can be said about lipoproteins that it is they who carry out the movement of all lipids, and plus cholesterol, it carries it from one cell population to another. Moreover, these cells either begin to matobolize or they remain in one of the cells. It can also be noted that, unlike all lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins are carried out through all cells of only peripheral organs, after which they all enter the liver. After cholesterol enters the liver, there it begins to be gradually processed into bile acid, and after some time this processed cholesterol is excreted from the body. You can also notice that this also happens in the heart muscle and with all the vessels that surround it for any other human organs.

What is the norm of HDL cholesterol in blood serum?

What is alpha cholesterol in coronary heart disease (CHD)?

It is worth noting that today the level of alpha cholesterol in serum, which is lower than 0.91 mmol per liter of blood, indicates that this is a fairly high risk of developing coronary heart disease. And if a person's alpha cholesterol is higher than 1.56 mmol per liter of blood, then this only means the role of protection. In order to start treatment, the patient must necessarily consult a doctor, who, in turn, must correctly assess the level of HDL and total cholesterol in the blood serum.

It is also worth noting that if the patient has a low level of HDL cholesterol, then if the patient has a fairly normal concentration of total cholesterol, then he will just need to start doing as much and as long as possible physical exercises that will stop the possibility of coronary heart disease. . Also, the patient should definitely stop smoking and try to get rid of excess weight.

High-density lipoproteins are compounds made up of lipids (fats) and proteins. They provide the processing and removal of fats from the body, so they are called "good cholesterol".

Russian synonyms

HDL, high density lipoproteins, HDL, HDL cholesterol, alpha cholesterol.

SynonymsEnglish

HDL, HDL-C, HDL Cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, High density lipoprotein, Alpha-Lipoprotein Cholesterol.

Research method

Colorimetric photometric method.

Units

mmol/l (millimoles per liter).

What biomaterial can be used for research?

Venous blood.

How to properly prepare for research?

• Do not eat for 12 hours prior to the study.
• Eliminate physical and emotional overstrain and do not smoke for 30 minutes before the study.

General information about the study

Cholesterol (CHC, cholesterol) is a fat-like substance that is vital for the body. The correct scientific name for this substance is “cholesterol” (the ending -ol indicates belonging to alcohols), however, the name “cholesterol” has become widespread in the mass literature, which we will use later in this article. Cholesterol is formed in the liver, and also enters the body with food, mainly with meat and dairy products. Cholesterol is involved in the formation of cell membranes of all organs and tissues of the body. Based on cholesterol, hormones are created that are involved in the growth, development of the body and the implementation of the reproduction function. Bile acids are formed from it, due to which fats are absorbed in the intestines.

Cholesterol is insoluble in water, therefore, to move around the body, it is "packed" into a protein shell, consisting of special proteins - apolipoproteins. The resulting complex (cholesterol + apolipoprotein) is called lipoprotein. Several types of lipoproteins circulate in the blood, differing in the proportions of their constituent components:

• very low density lipoproteins (VLDL),
• low density lipoproteins (LDL),
• high density lipoproteins (HDL).

High-density lipoproteins consist mainly of a protein part and contain some cholesterol. Their main function is to carry excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it is excreted as bile acids. Therefore, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) is also called "good cholesterol". About 30% of total blood cholesterol (cholesterol) is part of HDL.

If a person has a hereditary predisposition to high cholesterol or if he eats too much fatty foods, then the level of cholesterol in the blood can rise, so that its excess will not be completely excreted by high density lipoproteins. It begins to be deposited in the walls of blood vessels in the form of plaques, which can restrict the movement of blood through the vessel, as well as make the vessels more rigid (atherosclerosis), which significantly increases the risk of heart disease (ischemic disease, heart attack) and stroke.

High HDL cholesterol values ​​reduce the risk of developing plaques in the vessels, as they help to remove excess cholesterol from the body. A decrease in HDL cholesterol even at a normal level of total cholesterol and its fractions leads to the progression of atherosclerosis.

What is research used for?

• To assess the risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart problems.
• To monitor the effectiveness of a low-fat diet.

When is the study scheduled?

• An analysis for HDL is carried out during routine preventive examinations or with an increase in total cholesterol as part of a lipid profile. A lipid profile is recommended for all adults over 20 years of age at least once every 5 years. It may be given more frequently (several times a year) if the patient is on a low-fat diet and/or is taking cholesterol-lowering medications. In these cases, it is checked whether the patient reaches the target level of HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol and, accordingly, whether his risk of cardiovascular diseases is reduced.
• With existing risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases:
  • smoking,
  • age (men over 45, women over 55),
  • increased blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg and above),
  • cases of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease in other family members (heart attack or stroke in the closest male relative under 55 years old, female - under 65 years old),
  • existing ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction or stroke,
  • diabetes,
  • overweight,
  • alcohol abuse,
  • intake of large amounts of food containing animal fats,
  • low physical activity.
• If a child in the family had cases of high cholesterol or heart disease at a young age, then it is recommended that he take a cholesterol test for the first time at the age of 2 to 10 years.

What do the results mean?

Reference values: 1.03 - 1.55 mmol / l.

The concept of "norm" is not entirely applicable in relation to the level of HDL cholesterol. For different people with a different number of risk factors, the HDL norm will be different. To determine the risk of developing cardiovascular disease more accurately for a particular person, it is necessary to evaluate all the predisposing factors.
In general, we can say that a reduced level of HDL predisposes to the development of atherosclerosis, and a sufficient or high level prevents this process.

In adults, HDL cholesterol, depending on the level, can be assessed as follows:

• less than 1.0 mmol / l in men and 1.3 mmol / l in women - a high risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, regardless of other risk factors,
• 1.0-1.3 mmol / l in men and 1.3-1.5 mmol / l in women - the average risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases,
• 1.55 mmol / l and above - low risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases; while the vessels are protected from the negative effects of excess cholesterol.

Reasons for low HDL levels:

• heredity (Tangier disease),
• cholestasis - stagnation of bile, which can be caused by liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or gallstones,
• severe liver disease
• untreated diabetes,
• chronic inflammation of the kidneys leading to nephrotic syndrome,
• chronic renal failure.

In the process of analyzing the state of the human cardiovascular system, a biochemical blood test is necessarily prescribed, among the parameters of which HDL cholesterol is examined. Let's try to figure out what is HDL, why is it called good cholesterol, and how does it affect the human body?

Factions

Often, when it comes to cholesterol, people believe that this substance adversely affects the functioning of the body. We try to avoid foods containing cholesterol, refuse fatty foods. Therefore, the doctor's advice that you should raise the level of alpha cholesterol in the body is often bewildering. And the thing is that cholesterol itself is a very important, moreover, vital substance for the proper functioning of the body. In addition, it is divided into various factions, some of which are called "good" and others - "bad". Although without “bad” fractions, new cells will not form and function in our body.

Cholesterol is a fat produced mainly in the liver (and partly in the intestines), which forms cell membranes and ensures their functionality, is involved in the synthesis of certain hormones and the metabolism of substances, especially fat-soluble vitamins. This substance plays a very important role in the processes of fat metabolism.

A small part of cholesterol enters the human body with food.

Since in its chemical structure it belongs to alcohols, this substance should be called cholesterol. However, in Russian both versions of the name are considered correct.

The molecules that carry fats between blood cells are called lipoid proteins. These are complexes that include proteins and fats (lipids).

There are three types of such complexes:

• High-density lipoproteins, which contribute to the removal of cholesterol from the body and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. For this reason, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is considered "good". Such lipoproteins are sometimes referred to by the English letters HDL, which is an abbreviation for high-density lipoproteins.
• Low density lipoproteins that transport fats from the liver to the cells of other organs. With an excess of lipids of this type, cholesterol penetrates into the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques and reducing their lumen, which increases the risk of developing vascular pathologies.
• Triglycerides, together with cholesterol, form blood fats. The body converts all excess calories into triglycerides, which accumulate in body fat. With a lack of nutrition, fats are broken down and triglycerides become a source of energy.

Deciphering the analysis for cholesterol should show not only the content of each fraction of lipids, but also total cholesterol in the blood.

Let us consider in more detail how high-density lipoproteins affect the body, and what pathologies a deviation from the norm may indicate.

HDL

High-density cholesterol or, as it is also called alpha cholesterol, provides cleaning of blood vessels from clogging plaques. High-density lipids capture excess cholesterol from low-density lipids, and transfer them from the cells of the body to the liver, after which cholesterol is excreted from the body.

Therefore, the balance of these fractions must be clearly maintained in the body.

If the cholesterol level rises, then the level of good cholesterol should be raised, otherwise the development of a disease such as atherosclerosis, as well as various ischemic pathologies, is possible. Since in this case, the speed of movement of cholesterol through the vessels towards the liver is sharply reduced, due to which it begins to settle on their walls. When the patency of the vascular bed decreases, the risk of thromboembolism, heart attack, stroke and other serious illnesses increases.

Deciphering the relevant indicators in a biochemical blood test, subject to the rules for donating biomaterial, can tell the doctor about the presence of such pathologies:

• acute form of infection;
• liver or kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• metabolic disorders, obesity, lack of vitamin C;
• developing atherosclerosis;
• IHD (ischemic disease).

Biochemistry is necessarily carried out before planned operations, as well as when adjusting the diet, monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.

If tests show that HDL is lowered while LDL cholesterol is elevated, then the doctor should find out the reasons for this condition. To clarify the diagnosis, a number of additional examinations are prescribed.

Norms

The normal level of the HDL fraction in the blood test depends on the age and gender of the patient. Usually its concentration is much lower than the content of low density lipids. The norm in women by age differs from male indicators.

For alpha cholesterol, the norm in women is higher than in the blood of men of the same age. In addition, with age, both total cholesterol and HDL fraction increase in the body.

HDL-cholesterol norm in the blood of women by age:

If cholesterol is elevated above normal, then the doctor must also establish the cause of this condition and take measures to lower the level of lipid proteins to the desired level.

Various physiological factors can affect the quantitative indicators of the lipid profile. So, in women, low-density fats are increased during pregnancy and after menopause, this is due to changes in the female hormonal background.

Deviations from the norm

The level of good protein can deviate from the norm both up and down. In each case, there are some hidden reasons for this.

If HDL cholesterol is lowered, this condition can be caused by such reasons:

• violation of fat metabolism;
• food allergy;
• liver disease.

Low HDL cholesterol - what does it mean? A decrease in the level of VP lipoproteins below the norm significantly increases the risk of developing vascular and heart pathologies. With this deviation, it is important to consume enough vitamin C.

Therefore, it is important to prescribe therapy in time, which will raise this indicator.

Although doctors often try to increase good cholesterol in the blood, too high HDL levels can also cause concern, especially if the reasons for such an increase in concentration are not established.

How to improve your lipid profile

To assess the patient's condition, the doctor prescribes a lipid profile. The study shows the total and quantitative values ​​of various lipids. What to do in case of deviation of indicators from the norm and how to increase good cholesterol to a normal level?

For those who do not know how to increase the level of alpha cholesterol, doctors give the following recommendations:

• limit alcohol consumption as much as possible;
• give up nicotine addiction;
• competently dose physical activity;
• reconsider the diet, instead of fats and carbohydrates, switch to pectin, which lowers the amount of bad cholesterol.

To prevent atherosclerosis, eat foods rich in vitamin C.

Balance of bad and good CS

When evaluating the analysis, the doctor should evaluate not only cholesterol indicators, but also their balance, expressed by the atherogenic coefficient.

This indicator reflects the ratio of the number of LP lipoproteins to VP lipidoproteins. The higher the coefficient, the more the likelihood of developing hypertension, strokes and heart attacks, and vascular damage will increase.

Atherogenicity increases with intense physical exertion, stressful situations and states of emotional upsurge, since all this causes an increase in the number of NP lipoproteins.

When analyzing the amount of good cholesterol, the doctor must conduct a comprehensive examination and analyze all related factors. This will allow timely identification of the risk of developing severe cardiovascular pathologies and prescribing effective treatment. Cholesterol testing should be done at least once a year. This will allow doctors to better control all the changes in the body and start treatment in a timely manner if necessary.

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