High LDL readings may not be as bad as you think. You have consider some other ?iimportant factors as well. For instance, did you know that LDL comes in all sizes and shapes? And the small LDL particles are the ones you need to be aware of. If you have large LDL particles, they are buoyant and flow through your artieries much easier.
It is the small LDL particles that you have to watch out for. They can easily get lodged in the artertial walls and cause plaque formation once readily oxidized. The small LDL is thought to cause heart disese 3-4x more than its large counterpart.
For a quick indication, have your triglyceride level checked using the standard blood test. If the reading is >200 mg/dL, then you probably have small, dense LDL, also called Pattern B. Then you should try get it below 170. You can calculate your recommended baseline LDL here.
However, even a healthy triglyceride number does not necessarily give you a free ride from heart disease. It all depends on the average particle size of the LDL. You can get a referal from your doctor to an area lab offering advanced lipid-profile testing. The referral sometimes will get you a cheaper rate.
To calculate your own risk of heart attack, see here.
Summary of my cholesterol readings - It took some time for me to convert 100% to coconut oil, animal fats, and olive oils. I started in 2011-12 time frame. My total cholesterol is higher than normal, but so is my HDL. Triglyceride numbers are very sensitive and it's not very consistent. Numbers from the doctor vs. insurance co. are not consist. LDL is high, but the ratio is still in excellent range for low to no risk of heart attack. (Yay!). In 2023, I only consume coconut oil, avocado oil, grass-fed butter, fats from grass-fed cow, omega-3 DHA from calamari. If you want to improve your cholesterol numbers and reduce your heart disease risks, give healthy fat a try!
Date | My Result | Expected Range | Ratios | Desired Ratio | |
6/3/99 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
144 61 67 79 |
140-240 mg/dL >35-55 mg/dL 0-129 mg/dL >10-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=42% Tri/HDL=1.3 |
>25% okay < 2 |
9/8/06 (insur) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
152 71 65 77 |
140-240 mg/dL 35-55 mg/dL 0-129 mg/dL 10-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=47% Tri/HDL=1.1 |
>30% preferred <2 |
11/20/08 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
151 71 69 54 |
100-199 mg/dL 40-80 mg/dL 57-100 mg/dL 10-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=47% Tri/HDL=0.76 |
>40% almost immune <2 |
12/7/10 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
163 67 75 42 |
130-200 mg/dL 40-85 mg/dL 0-100 mg/dL 10-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=41% Tri/HDL=0.63 |
<10-15% inevitable < 2 |
1/6/12 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
169 82 77 26 |
130-200 mg/dL 40-85 mg/dL 0-100 mg/dL 10-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=49% Tri/HDL=0.32 |
> 25% < 2 |
7/2/13 (insur) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
168 77 79 57 |
140-240 mg/dL 35-55 mg/dL 0-129 mg/dL 0-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=46% Tri/HDL=0.74 |
> 25% < 2 |
5/16/14 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
213 102 102 19 |
130-200 mg/dL 40-85 mg/dL 0-100 mg/dL 10-150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=48% Tri/HDL=0.19 |
> 25% < 2 |
9/12/14 (insur) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
201 88 100 63 |
130-260 mg/dL 30-70 mg/dL 70-130 mg/dL 10-300 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=44% Tri/HDL=0.72 |
> 25% < 2 |
2/5/21 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
193 103 80 49 |
135-200 mg/dL >40 mg/dL <100 mg/dL <150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=53% Tri/HDL=0.48 |
>25% <2 |
3/30/23 (doc) |
Total CHO HDL LDL Triglycerides |
244 109 123 59 |
135-200 mg/dL >40 mg/dL <100 mg/dL <150 mg/dL |
HDL/CHO=45% Tri/HDL=0.54 |
>25% <2 |
Source & Reference:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35058886/ns/health-heart_health/t/small-ldl-particles-pose-biggest-risk/#.VHpKezHF838
http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/heart_health/1886-1.html
http://aristos.com/ldl-target.php
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/17/stephen-sinatra-on-cholesterol-statins-coq10-ubiquinol.aspx