Monitoringclub.org – Cholesterol is a substance that functions to help the body’s metabolism. However, cholesterol levels in the body must remain in the rules. The reason is, when the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) is too high, it will be fatal because it can clog blood vessels and block blood flow to the heart.
Previously, please note that there are two types of cholesterol in the body, as follows.
- Good cholesterol or high density lipoprotein (HDL), which functions to maintain the body’s metabolism.
- Bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a type of cholesterol that can be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease and stroke, if the levels are too high and not controlled.
The American Heart Association also recommends that we routinely check cholesterol levels every 4-6 years if we are over 20 years old. This is because cholesterol levels tend to increase with age.
What is the normal limit for cholesterol levels in older persons?
According to the guidelines on managing cholesterol levels in 2018, which have been published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) There are several cholesterol levels in adults that need to be known, as follows.
#1. Normal cholesterol levels
Cholesterol levels of less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) fall into the normal category. The ideal good cholesterol (HDL) is 60 mg/dL or more, and the bad cholesterol (LDL) must be less than 100 mg/dL.
#2. High limits cholesterol levels
Cholesterol levels ranging from 200-239 mg/dL fall into the high limit category. With LDL ranging from 130-159 mg/dL.
#3. High cholesterol levels
Cholesterol levels of more than 240 mg/dL fall into the high category. With HDL above 60 mg/dL, and LDL levels above 160 mg/dL.
What if cholesterol levels exceed normal limits?
In some cases, high cholesterol levels are asymptomatic. However, if the condition is severe, someone who has high cholesterol levels can experience serious complications, such as heart attack, kidney disease, and stroke.
That is why it is important to check cholesterol levels regularly. In addition, it is also important for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain normal cholesterol levels.
