How to Read HDL, LDL and Triglycerides in Cholesterol Test Results?
To be able to read your Cholesterol test results right, you should first known the difference between various kinds of cholesterols. Not all cholesterols are bad. Cholesterol exists in several versions; HDL, LDL and triglycerides. While HDL or high density lipoproteins are actually good for your body and known as good cholesterol, LDL or low density lipoproteins is considered as bad cholesterol.

While a high LDL count may put you at risk, a high HDL level is a good condition. It is because high HDL decreases risk of possible heart attacks and strokes. So when you check your cholesterol results, break it down to get a true idea of your health condition.

Know the optimum levels of HDL, LDL and Triglycerides

Ideally 60 mg/DL is considered to be an optimum level for HDL in both genders. With men 40mg/DL of HDL is considered low. The figure stands to be 50 for women.

Evaluate your HDL levels in combination with other cholesterol levels

The level of HDL alone will not give you the right idea about how good or bad your cholesterol levels are. You need to take into account the level of LDL as well trigylcerides to get a fair idea.

Below 100 mg/dL is the normal level of LDL cholesterol for both men and women. LDL levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL are high and marks a great risk for heart disease.

As for Triglycerides, more than 200 mg/dL is high; 150-199 mg/dL is moderately risky while under 100 mg/dL is optimal figure.

So, consult a doctor to relate the figures in both HDL and LDL tests. A high HDL level is good for you and you are not at risk for heart disease. However, low levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol remarkably indicate that you are at great risk for heart diseases.

A low HDL level is in anyway a risky situation. But if low HDL levels are coupled with high triglycerides, the situation just worsens. This lethal combination of low HDL and high triglycerides can be risky and put you at a risk of serious heart diseases.

How to increase your HDL levels?

Avoid stress: Stress and HDL share an inverse relationship. Lower stress not just results in lowering your risk of your heart diseases but it also helps pump up your HDL levels

Eat right: Amidst various things, monosaturated fats can work a great deal in increasing your HDL count. Food rich in monostaurated fats such as avocados and nuts can help raise your HDL level considerably.

Use cholesterol supplements: Along with an increased monostaurated fat intake, also opt for niacin supplements to increase your HDL count. By essence, niacin is a B vitamin and can be consumed in natural form too. But avoid overdose as too much of niacin can have harmful effects.
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