Know Your Numbers, Know Your Power: Tapping into Your Cholesterol

As a college student, there are many sequences of numbers you must remember: your cell phone number, family numbers, your student ID number, your bank PIN, and more. But some of the most important numbers that impact our health are often unknown. Our cholesterol is usually something we don’t think about, with the focus being on blood pressure and the impacts of it being too high or too low. Yet, paying attention to your cholesterol levels can save your life and help you avoid advanced health issues down the road. 

In a report by Johns Hopkins Medicine, “About 71 million Americans have high cholesterol.” However, many people do not truly understand what that even means, nor the impact it has on their health. Cholesterol, according to Heart.org, is “a waxy substance your body uses to build cells and to make hormones.”  The substance is produced by our livers, creating all the cholesterol we need. However, we get the rest from foods made from animal products, such as meat, poultry, and dairy, which can be high in saturated and trans fats and can raise blood cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Studies from 2023 by WebMD.com found that about 7% of kids and teens ages 6 to 19 are likely to have high cholesterol, and more than 12% of adults 20 and older also have it. While the percentage may seem small, it is alarming because it increases the risk of health problems with age. It is important to understand how to combat it to begin to lessen the health risk.

The risk of African Americans getting heart disease is even greater, and health disparities have historically and currently led to late screening of symptoms. While high blood pressure is the leading cause of heart disease, high cholesterol plays a role too, and understanding this can be beneficial. 

How Do I Read My Cholesterol Numbers? 

A primary care doctor checks your cholesterol via a lipid test. During your yearly physical check-up, you can request that it be taken. While your doctor is trained to analyze your results, it is important that you understand as well. Normal levels depend on your demographics. However, when you read your results, you will see four main numbers in four categories: 

Total Cholesterol: This is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It is better if this number is below 200. 

Low-density Lipoprotein:  It's better if this number is below 100.

High-density Lipoprotein (often called "good" HDL; removes cholesterol from arteries): This number varies between males and females. In males, values between 40 and 80 are considered healthier, and for females, values between 50 and 80 are also optimal. 

Triglycerides (the amount of fats in the blood): This is generally considered better if the number is less than 150.