Understanding cholesterol numbers

[Cyn54]

I am a 54 year old female, 5'4" tall, weighing 152 pounds.  My father had his first heart attack at age 52, triple bypass surgery at that time, and died at age 65.  I'm concerned about my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I take blood pressure medicine and average 110/65.  Here are the results of my cholesterol numbers which I don't really understand, inspite of what I've read on the internet.  Thank you very much!  Cyn
Triglycerides 146
Total Cholesterol 212
HDL 71
LDL 112
CHOL/HDLC RATIO 3.0
GLOBULIN 4.0

[erijon]

Your numbers are not terrible, but a little high. TC should be under 200 and LDL under 130, however with a family hgistory of CAD your doctor would most likely want to see your LDL under 100. Also, your HDL (good cholesterol) is high, which is good and will help keep your LDL in check. You should lower your number to an LDL under 100 and a TC around 170.  This is not a large reduction and can most likely be done with some changes in life style with exercise and diet. If necessary, you may need to go to meds if this does not work, but it should, it's not a drastic drop.

Hope this helps,

Jon

[Flycaster305]

Although the total Cholesterol is a little high, your ratio of LDL/HDL is very good (3.0).  I'm guessing you exercise often.  I agree with Jon, I'm betting that simply watching your diet would make the total cholesterol reading go down.  I have very aggressive heart disease and my doctor wants my LDL to be less than 75 and LDL/HDL ratio of 2.5.  HDL is the 'good' cholesterol that chases the LDL 'bad' choleserol out of the arteries, HDL is raised by taking statin drugs but more by daily aerobic exercise.   The fact that you have a family link to heart trouble makes it important that you keep your cholesterol in control, as you obviously are.  I'd suggest contacting your clinic or local hospital where undoubtedly there are classes taught that explain the cholesterol issues, usually insurance covers some if not all of the course.