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Women and High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the body that is used to make cells and other structures in the body. However, in high levels, this substance can lead to clogging (blockages) of the blood vessels. Clogged blood vessels cannot easily transport blood to the tissues and can therefore result in:

High cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms. Therefore, many people with high cholesterol are unaware of it. The cholesterol can easily be measured with a simple blood test. Everyone above the age of 20 should have a cholesterol blood test at least every five years. The cholesterol needs to be checked more often in high-risk people. Cholesterol tends to increase at a more rapid rate after women reach menopause. Therefore, cholesterol needs to be measured throughout a woman’s life.

Cholesterol contains several different parts. A cholesterol blood test called a “lipoprotein profile” will contain the levels of these different parts. They include:

  • Total cholesterol
  • LDL (bad) cholesterol—the main part of cholesterol that causes blockages in the arteries
  • HDL (good) cholesterol--helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries
  • Triglycerides--another form of fat in the blood The ideal level of LDL is less than 100 mg/dL. In high-risk individuals with heart disease, the ideal LDL is less than 70 mg/dL. HDL (good) cholesterol protects against heart disease, so for HDL, higher numbers are better.

The ideal level for HDL is 60 mg/dL. A level less than 40 mg/dL is low and increases the risk for developing heart disease. Triglycerides can also raise heart disease risk. The ideal level of triglycerides is less than 150.

Causes of high cholesterol include:

  • Diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
  • Lack of exercise
  • Being overweight
  • Family history of high cholesterol
  • Age and gender: As both men and women get older, cholesterol rises. Before menopause, the LDL in men is often higher than in women. However, after menopause, the LDL in women is often higher than in men.

Treatment for high cholesterol include:

Review Date: 08/06