I'm just a bit confused about my cholesterol test.
Total: 187
Triglyceride: 88
HDL: 40
LDL: 129
I thought common causes of low HDL were smoking (which I don't) and being overweight which I'm also not (5'3' ,102lbs). What other things could cause low-ish HDL in a younger female? Can this still be high risk for heart attacks?
If it matters at all, I don't think anyone in my family had heart attacks.
Hello xanga,
Your cholesterol results are not bad at all, provided that you do not have heart disease or other risk factors for heart disease.
Diet, exercise, and genetics are the three important factors that determine your cholesterol profile. Exercising 4 times a week for 40 minutes even if you are not overweight is an important way to improve your cholesterol levels. Also, if you want to lower your LDL and raise your HDL, you could increase the amount of fiber in your diet by eating whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Consider trying to eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week.
Some people, regardless of the intensity of their diet or exercise regiments, have a genetically high cholesterol. This is especially true if your family memebers have high cholesterol, too.
Be sure to continue to monitor your lipid profile with your physician and inform him of your lifestyle modifications!
To your health,
Neil MD
Same as Neil said however.
Your LDL is high (ideal <100) and your HDL is low (ideal >50).
Make sure you include monounsaturated good fats like canola oil in your diet because they raise HDL and lower LDL which is exactly what you need.
Also read so books by dean ornish and jack lalanne for proper diet/exercise advice.
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