Reducing LDL and total cholesterol levels, while at the same time boosting HDL levels, can prevent heart attacks and death in all people (with or without heart disease). Reducing LDL is the primary goal of most cholesterol therapy.
Blood tests can easily measure both HDL and overall cholesterol levels.
Studies consistently report a higher risk for death from heart disease with high total cholesterol levels (200 mg/dL and higher). The higher the cholesterol, the greater the risk. One study reported that men with total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL had a risk that two to nearly four times that of men whose cholesterol was below 200 mg/dL. On average, every time a person's cholesterol level drops by a point, the risk of heart disease drops by 2%.
» HIGH CHOLESTEROL- THE MORE YOU KNOW
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