LDL Levels: A Case Study

Doctors will test all of the following: total cholesterol level, LDL levels, HDL levels, and triglyceride levels. A patient wants their total blood cholesterol to be less than 200 mg/dl, they are at the borderline of having a high risk when their levels are 200-239 mg/dl, and officially are at a high risk for heart disease when their levels are 240 mg/dl and above. For a patient's LDL levels 190 mg/dl and above means their at a high risk for heart disease and indicates a person can benefit from treatment. More desirable levels for LDL are either equal to or less than 189 mg/dl, but they still may need to be lowered based on other risk factors a person could have. HDL levels are desirable at above 40 mg/dl or at a high risk for heart disease at less than 40 mg/dl. Triglyceride levels are also tested with the normal levels being less than 150 mg/dl, borderline levels being between 150-199 mg/dl, the high risk levels being between 200-499 mg/dl, and the very high risk levels being either equal to or greater than 500 mg/dl. Based off the levels a patient would then know how at risk they are for heart disease and if they need to start making some changes in their life.
However, there are other treatments like drug therapy if needed. Some of the life style changes that can be made includes eating a heart healthy diet. This means having a diet that emphasizes friut, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, and nuts. Also, this diet must limit red meat and sugary foods and beverages. Other changes include exercising more, avoiding tobacco smoke whether it is first or second hand smoke, and being aware of the fats you