Cholesterol, aka cholesterol, is a fat-like wax compound that is responsible for the structure of every cell in the body. The biological substance is necessary for the human body to carry out metabolic processes, the production of hormones, and the synthesis of vitamins. Most of it (80%) is produced in the liver, adrenal glands, intestines, and only a small amount (20%) enters the body with food.
The role of cholesterol
According to some myths, cholesterol causes great harm to human health. Medicine claims that without this substance normal cell activity is impossible. Cholesterol is the material from which cell membranes are built; it is a direct participant in the synthesis of steroid hormones and vitamin D.
Due to the presence of cholesterol in the bloodstream, certain types of proteins, insoluble waste substances are moved, the muscles receive good nutrition. The lack of the right amount of cholesterol leads to degenerative changes in the tissues, but also its excess leads to a deplorable state of health.
The positive effect of cholesterol:
- Protection, synthesis of cell membranes.
- Ensuring full-fledged processes of cell metabolism, metabolism, cell viability.
- Participation in the production of a number of sex hormones.
- Participation in the biochemical process of producing vitamin D.
- Ensuring the full functioning of the pancreas, participation in the formation of bile.
- It improves mood, prevents depression, provides the supply of antioxidants to the brain.
The disturbed balance of lipids and complex protein compounds, which includes cholesterol, causes atherosclerosis. The lesion encompasses large blood lines - the aorta of the heart, coronary, brain, and renal vessels. An increased amount of cholesterol in the blood can cause myocardial infarction, kidneys, digestive organs, veins of the lower extremities suffer significant loss of functionality.
Types of Cholesterol
Endogenous cholesterol is produced by the human body and enters it with some food. Exogenous or food cholesterol is absent in foods of plant origin, but is fully represented in food of animal origin.
Elevated levels of endogenous cholesterol have a positive effect on many life processes, and an increase in dietary cholesterol often leads to many diseases. A fat-like substance cannot move independently in the bloodstream, therefore lipoproteins are produced in the liver cells to transport it.
The main ones are:
- LDL - low density lipoproteins. The task of this transport group is to transfer triglycerides and cholesterol from liver cells to body tissues. This type of lipoprotein is able to form deposits on the walls of the blood lines, causing hypertension, strokes, heart attacks. For ease of perception, LDL is called “bad” cholesterol.
- HDL (high density liporoteins) - make cholesterol removal from tissue cells to the liver, with further transportation to the intestine, followed by removal from the body. A high HDL level guarantees a reduction in the risks of pathologies of the cardiovascular system, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Both types of lipoproteins are indispensable for the body and fulfill their tasks, imbalance of substances, leads to diseases.
Triglyceride (TG) is equally important in lipid metabolism. It performs the function of transporting fats, its increased rates, also indicate the risk of atherosclerosis.
Indications for analysis
The main factors for the appointment of blood donation to determine the lipid spectrum and cholesterol level are:
- Liver disease.
- Endocrine dysfunction.
- Pathology of the pancreas, kidneys.
- The risk of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels, diagnosed pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
- Excessive body weight (obesity).
Lipidogram
A cholesterol test is called a lipidogram. The reason for the study is:
- A preventive measure to determine the total cholesterol level is recommended for each person once every 5 years. For patients with obesity and prescribed diet therapy is an obligatory point of control of the effectiveness of therapeutic measures.
- Suspicion of heart disease. The category of patients includes people with high blood pressure, over the age of 40 years, overweight, diagnosed with ischemic myocardial disease.
The digital value of the amount of two groups of lipids and triglyceride is taken out in the results.
Lipid profile
To find out in what ratio cholesterol indicators are is possible only by means of a biochemical study of blood serum. The results display the following data:
- Total cholesterol
- Indicators of dense lipoproteins (HDL).
- The level of light lipoproteins (LDL).
- The level of triglycerides (TG).
Indicators of blood cholesterol are not measured in final figures, but in acceptable values, the unit of measurement is mmol per liter (mmol / l).
Table 1. The average level of cholesterol in the blood, the norm for adults
| Amount (mmol / L) | Value |
| Less than 5.2 | Normal performance |
| Less than 6.2 | Norm Limits |
| Over 6.2 | Significant excess of the norm |
Table 2. Blood cholesterol, normal values and LDL deviations (men and women)
| Amount (mmol / L) | Value |
| Less than 1.8 | Standard Standard for Patients with Suspected Cardiovascular Disease |
| Less than 2.61 | Norm for patients with myocardial pathology |
| No more than 3.31 | Normal overall |
| No more than 4.11 | Limit value |
| No more than 4.99 | Elevated level |
| Over 4.99 | Substantial excess |
Table 3. Blood cholesterol, normal values and deviations for HDL (men and women)
| Floor | Amount (mmol / L) | value |
| General | More than 1.6 | Perfectly |
| Men | From 1.0 and no more than 1.31 | Standard rate |
| Women | From 1.31 and no more than 1.51 | Standard rate |
| Men | Below 1.0 | Elevated |
| Women | Below 1.3 | Elevated |
Table 4. The rate and deviation of triglycerides
| Amount (mmol / L) | Value |
| Below 1.7 | Standard rate |
| Less than 1.7 and no more than 2.2 | Maximum permissible |
| Less than 2.3 and no more than 5.6 | Increased value |
| More than 5,6 | Menacingly high level |
What causes abnormalities
The analysis shows the norm of cholesterol in the blood or, which happens much more often, an excess of indicators. Sometimes a low level is observed, this happens in such cases:
- Prolonged fasting, strict diet, impaired absorption of fats in the intestines.
- Received burns that damaged a significant part of the tissues.
- Hypothyroidism - thyroid insufficiency (low amount of hormones produced).
- The presence of certain diseases (anemia, myeloma, thalassemia, etc.)
- The development of a severe form of infectious lesions, sepsis.
- Malignant tumors, cirrhosis of the liver.
- Pathology of the lungs, tuberculosis.
- Long-term use of drugs with estrogen.
An increase in cholesterol is triggered by the following diseases or conditions:
- Stress, anorexia, pregnancy.
- Dependencies (smoking, alcoholism).
- Violation of metabolism and metabolism.
- Nutrition based on the consumption of predominantly fatty, carbohydrate foods.
Age-related changes in women
Blood cholesterol levels change over the years, small deposits appear on the walls of blood vessels - atherosclerotic plaques. The norm of blood cholesterol in men after 30 years is already exceeded in most cases. The hormone progesterone protects women for a long time, and therefore, up to about 35 years of age, no deviations in cholesterol levels are observed.
The first physiological changes overtake a woman by about 40 years old, during this period there is a slight excess of the norm of cholesterol in the blood.
Quantitative indicators against the backdrop of general health should fluctuate within such limits:
- Total cholesterol is less than 3,631 mmol / l, but not more than 6,381 mmol / l.
- LDL (light lipoproteins) - less than or equal to 1.941 mmol / l, but not more than 4.151 mmol / l.
- HDL - (dense lipoproteins) less than or equal to 0.881 mmol / L, but not higher than 2.121 mmol / L.
In general, with an increase in the number of years, the blood cholesterol norm in women shows higher numbers, which is associated with impending menopause. After forty years, metabolic processes slow down, there is a significant change in the hormonal background towards a decrease in the production of progesterone and estrogen.
The norms of blood cholesterol in women after 40 years allow fluctuations in the range of not less than 3.911 mmol / l and not more than 6.531 mmol / l. But most often there is an excess of the level of "bad" cholesterol. The reasons for this process are bad habits, irrational, vitamin-depleted nutrition, lifestyle disorders and physical activity. Diseases of a chronic course are added - kidney pathologies, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, etc.
Dangers for men
The rate of cholesterol in the blood in men is being overcome upward rapidly. By the age of 30, representatives of the strong half of humanity in most diagnoses have atherosclerotic plaques in their vessels. This is due to the fact that the heart and blood vessels in men do not have powerful hormonal protection, as is the case in women.
The rate of cholesterol in the blood of men is largely exceeded by their own efforts - unhealthy nutrition, low physical activity, harmful addictions, workaholism, stress lead to an early load on the vessels, the development of serious diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and stroke.
And if in the female body until the age of 50 there is a constant increase in the pathological process, and after a half-century anniversary, cholesterol begins to decline and even return to normal levels without much effort. That men do not have such natural mechanisms, so the disease overtakes them much earlier than old age.
In men, the blood cholesterol norm after 50 years should be in the range of at least 4.091 mmol / L and not exceed 7.171 mmol / L. In fact, the situation often looks menacing and most men experience symptoms of hypercholesterolemia.
Signs of pathology:
- The narrowing of the coronary arteries causes angina attacks.
- High blood pressure.
- Heart failure.
- Neoplasms (wen) appear on the body.
- The appearance of severe shortness of breath even with minor activity.
- Pain in the lower limbs.
- Micro strokes.
Prevention and exit from an unhealthy state is a gradual increase in physical activity, diet, rejection of addictions. Even small shifts towards healthy preferences will help to achieve blood cholesterol levels of 50 years and older.
Cholesterol and adulthood in women
With the onset of menopause, an increase in blood cholesterol is diagnosed in 30% of women. Moreover, the older the lady enters, the faster the norm is exceeded. At the same time, women do not feel the deterioration of their condition, even the most sensitive and disciplined do not notice any changes in their condition and therefore rarely turn to for diagnosis and diagnosis. Doctors recommend regular monitoring of cholesterol, starting at age 45.
The norm of blood cholesterol in women at the age of 50 is not less than 4,201 mmol / L and not exceed 7.381 mmol / L. The indicator framework is relevant up to 55 years. At this time, the body prepares for menopause, the menstrual cycle begins to go astray, there is not just a slowdown, but an increasing inhibition of metabolic and metabolic processes.
After 60 years
After a half-century anniversary, many women first encounter manifestations of chronic diseases, a rapid increase in body weight, which loads all body systems and primarily the vessels, myocardium and endocrine system. The norm of blood cholesterol in women at 60 years of age should be maintained within the framework of indicators of at least 4.451 mmol / L and not more than 7.771 mmol / L.
If chronic diseases have already been diagnosed, then monitoring the general condition and health must be doubled, since the level of cholesterol in the blood after 60 years will be clearly higher than normal.
Normal cholesterol in women undergoes constant changes, which is associated with a wide range of hormonal changes. Moreover, the drop in the number of female sex hormones protecting the body from a wide range of diseases provokes an avalanche-like appearance of pathologies and complications, including a rapid increase in cholesterol.
The norm of blood cholesterol in women after 60 years:
- Total cholesterol - ≥ 7.81 mmol / L.
- HDL (light lipoproteins) ≥ 2.411 mmol / L.
- LDL (dense lipoproteins) - ≥ 5.711 mmol / L.
In the same age period, the norm of blood cholesterol at 60 years for men differs by lower rates and should be at the level of no more than 7.711 mmol / liter.
For older people, regardless of gender, it is extremely important to constantly monitor their health status, be sure to include monitoring of cholesterol levels in a routine examination. Such prudence will make it possible to withstand the norm of blood cholesterol by age and to avoid global serious diseases that provoke impaired lipid metabolism, cholesterol plaques and chronic pathologies.
How to prepare for the analysis
To clarify the cholesterol in the blood, the sampling of materials is made from a vein. To get the correct results, the analysis is done on an empty stomach, for this reason it is preferable to donate blood in the morning.
The day before, some restrictions should be adhered to:
- Exclude fatty dishes from the menu.
- Reduce or eliminate physical activity.
- If possible, skip taking medications (you must discuss with your doctor).
After taking blood from a vein, it’s worth going out into the fresh air and drinking sweet tea. The results are usually ready and issued the next day. In the form with the final indicators, the levels of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides will be marked. The methods by which the studies were conducted are also indicated.
Evaluation of the results must be entrusted to the doctor, who will correlate them with the general condition of the patient, current chronic diseases, take into account medications that the patient takes on an ongoing basis and only after that will issue a verdict. Draw conclusions yourself is not worth it, the chances of mistakes and much more upset.
Addition
Table 5. Norms of blood cholesterol by age in adults (mmol / l)
| Number of years | Floor | Total cholesterol | LDL | HDL |
| From 20 to 25 | Men | ≥ 5.59 | ≥ 3.81 | ≥ 1.63 |
| Women | ≥ 5.59 | ≥ 4.12 | ≥ 2.04 |
| Up to 30 | Men | ≥ 6.32 | ≥ 4.27 | ≥ 1.63 |
| Women | ≥ 5.75 | ≥ 4.25 | ≥ 2.15 |
| Up to 35 | Men | ≥ 6.58 | ≥ 4.79 | ≥ 1.63 |
| Women | ≥ 5.96 | ≥ 4.04 | ≥ 1.99 |
| Up to 40 | Men | ≥ 6.99 | ≥ 4.45 | ≥ 2.12 |
| Women | ≥ 6.27 | ≥ 4.45 | ≥ 2.12 |
| Up to 45 | Men | ≥ 6.93 | ≥ 4.82 | ≥ 1.73 |
| Women | ≥ 6.53 | ≥ 4.51 | ≥ 2.28 |
| Up to 50 | Men | ≥ 7.15 | ≥ 5.23 | ≥ 1.67 |
| Women | ≥ 6.87 | ≥ 4.82 | ≥ 2.24 |
| Up to 55 | Men | ≥ 7.17 | ≥ 5.10 | ≥ 1.64 |
| Women | ≥ 7.38 | ≥ 5.21 | ≥ 2.39 |
Table 6. The norm of cholesterol in the blood after 60 years (mmol / l)
| Number of years | Floor | Total cholesterol | LDL | HDL |
| Up to 60 | Men | ≥ 7.15 | ≥ 5.26 | ≥ 1.84 |
| Women | ≥ 7.77 | ≥ 5.44 | ≥ 2.35 |
| Up to 65 | Men | ≥ 7.16 | ≥ 5.45 | ≥ 1.91 |
| Women | ≥ 7.69 | ≥ 5.99 | ≥ 2.38 |
| Up to 70 | Men | ≥ 7.10 | ≥ 5.34 | ≥ 1.94 |
| Women | ≥ 7.85 | ≥ 5.72 | ≥ 2,481 |
| After 70 | Men | ≥ 6.86 | ≥ 5.34 | ≥ 1.94 |
| Women | ≥ 7.25 | ≥ 5.34 | ≥ 2.38 |
How to lower cholesterol
It is necessary to take systematic measures to lower cholesterol and bring it to normal rates. Blood cholesterol can be lowered using the recommendations of doctors, which includes:
- Exception from the daily menu of dishes with animal fats.
- Eating fiber-containing foods - bran, green vegetables, seeds, fruits, whole grains.
- The use of freshly squeezed juices (beet, orange, apple, etc.)
- Changing the food system to a fractional one, at least 5 meals, the portion size, tentatively, should be equal to a folded palm.
- Increased physical activity - fitness classes (subject to age restrictions), cycling, swimming, etc.
- The implementation of continuous monitoring of your weight, it is important not to allow its increase.
- Farewell to bad habits.
- Avoiding and eliminating from your life stresses, overwork.
At any age, it is important to monitor the state of health. From a certain period of life, addictions and habits must be adjusted so as not to exceed the norm of cholesterol in the blood after 50 years, 20 or 40 years. This does not require special efforts, it is enough to adhere to the standard recommendations of doctors in lifestyle.