LDL cholesterol level 100-129 mg/dl (including 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128) is considered near optimal.
Even though, such levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with a
minimal risk of developing cardiovascular disease, arterial peripheral disease,
stroke or any other health issues.
The causes of having these levels of LDL cholesterol are divided into TWO main groups:
I. Causes we cannot change : including gender, age, family history
II. Causes we have the chance to change such as diet, physical activity and weight.
LDL cholesterol is also known under the name of “bad cholesterol”. This is due to its abilities to buildup in the walls of arteries causing atherosclerotic plaques.
LDL cholesterol level 100-129 mg/dl is considered near optimal.
This means that, if not having any cardiovascular disease prior to having such
LDL cholesterol levels, then these levels of cholesterol are harmless.
LDL cholesterol level 100-129 mg/dl is considered near optimal. But, if it persists for a long time, it builds up in the walls of the arteries causing a process called atherosclerosis which ends up by forming plaques in the walls of the coronary arteries.
The plaques narrow the lumen of the arteries, causing a decrease of the blood flow that supplies the heart muscle with blood. Blood is essential for the well-function and survival of the heart muscle.
Blood is rich in oxygen, which, on the other hand, is the source of life. If the blood flow is diminished, the oxygen supply of the heart muscle is diminished as well, causing certain symptoms such as chest pain and even death.
LDL cholesterol levels are associated with a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially if one has prior heart issues. It is necessary to take precautions to keep your LDL cholesterol levels within the normal ranges if wanting to avoid cardiovascular events.
Having LDL cholesterol level 100-129 mg/dl is considered as having a near optimal LDL cholesterol level. Such LDL levels are associated with minimal risk of developing other health issues, apart from cardiovascular diseases.
These “other” health issues include:
- peripheral arterial disease (the formation of the LDL cholesterol plaques in other arteries of the body, apart from the coronary arteries),
- strokes (the buildup of the atherosclerotic plaques that takes
place in the arteries that supply different parts of the brain, causing
diminished blood flow in that area of the brain).
Levels of LDL cholesterol 100-129 mg/dl, though are considered near optimal, are above the normal range. The causes of such LDL cholesterol levels are I. Uncontrollable and II. Controllable as following:
I. Uncontrollable causes:
1. Gender - After menopause a woman’s LDL cholesterol increases and so does the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
2. Age - Men over 45 years old and woman over 55 years old are at increased risk of developing increased LDL levels and cardiovascular issues.
3. Family history - Your risk of developing LDL cholesterol levels above normal range will increase if you have had a first family member( parents or siblings) who was affected by early heart disease( over 55 years old for men and over 65 years old for women).
II. Controllable causes:
1. Diet - trans fat, saturated fat, the cholesterol you eat increases the levels of LDL cholesterol.
2. Weight - Being overweight increases your LDL levels and lowers your HDL levels.
3. Physical activity - Exercising lowers your LDL levels and increases your HDL levels. It also helps you lose weight.
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