High Cholesterol Levels - What can you do about them?

High cholesterol levels can often be improved through a healthy lifestyle. First, however, it is important to determine which cholesterol value is actually elevated. Several different cholesterol-related values are considered:

Commonly used reference ranges for cholesterol values in people without pre-existing medical conditions or medication. Although cholesterol levels naturally change with age, the target values for maintaining good health remain constant.

• Total cholesterol: The weighted sum of all cholesterol fractions in the blood.
• LDL cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein, "bad" cholesterol): Transports cholesterol to the body's cells. Excessively high LDL levels can lead to deposits in the artery walls (atherosclerosis), increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  Possible causes of elevated levels: Unhealthy diet, overweight, physical inactivity, genetic predisposition.
• HDL cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein, "good" cholesterol): Transports excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it is broken down. Higher HDL levels help protect the blood vessels. However, very high levels (above 2 mmol/L) may also be associated with adverse effects.
  Possible causes of low levels: Smoking, physical inactivity, severe overweight.
  
• Triglycerides: These blood fats serve as the body's energy reserve. Elevated levels may also indicate an increased cardiovascular risk.
  Possible causes of elevated levels: Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, excessive alcohol consumption. (Note: This value may also be inaccurate if you ate food or drank anything other than water before the blood test.)
• The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is another useful marker for estimating cardiovascular risk and possible insulin resistance.
  Calculation: Triglycerides (mmol/L) ÷ HDL (mmol/L).
  Interpretation: ideal: <1, borderline: 1–2, increased risk: >2.
• In addition, there is lipoprotein(a). Its concentration is largely determined by genetics and is only minimally influenced by lifestyle. Therefore, it usually only needs to be measured once.

Measures to Lower Elevated Cholesterol Levels