Cholesterol, High Cholesterol

Hyperlipidemia goals of blood lipids:

Individuals age 20 -79 are recommended by the American Heart Association to have cholesterol levels checked every four to six years as part of a cardiovascular risk assessment. The Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol has established that the following lipid profile is optimal (as cited in Lichtenstein, 2006):

• LDL optimal under 100 mg/dl, near optimal 100-129 mg/dL, borderline high 130-159 mg/dL, high 160-189 mg/dL, and very high over 190 mg/dL.
• Total cholesterol is recommended to be under 200 mg/dL which is supported by the American Heart Association current guidelines (2).
• An HDL goal of over 40 mg/dL for men and over 50 mg/dL for women is generally supported, but no specific official goals for HDL cholesterol and triglycerides exist. The ideal HDL goal should be at least 60 mg/dl.
• The goal for triglycerides is generally supported to be under 150 mg/dL. An HDL under 40 mg/dL for men and under 50 mg/dL for women as well as a triglyceride level of over 150 mg/dL are all associated with metabolic syndrome.

Cardiologist, William C. Roberts, MD views the lipid profile goals to be more strict than the AHA and he recommends the following (1):

• Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol  <100 mg/dL and ideally <70 mg/dL.
• Total cholesterol <150 mg/dL.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol >20 mg/dL.
• The low HDL goal is rationalized by the author that levels below 20 are not dangerous if LDL and total cholesterol is also low.

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for coronary heart disease:

Coronary artery disease prevention and Integrative medicine therapy: Please see the section on coronary artery disease in Preventive Health Advisor.