The Truth About Good Cholesterol Numbers

Good cholesterol numbers would mean having the appropriate amounts of LDL and HDL cholesterol in your system. Having good cholesterol numbers would make a lot of people think of having reduced chances of heart attack. This may be partly true but it is also partly a myth. Along with this popular myth are other myths about good cholesterol numbers that need to be debunked.

Myth #1: I have good cholesterol numbers so I am safe from heart disease.

Most people think that having the appropriate amounts of LDL and HDL cholesterol is enough evidence of cardiovascular health. Recent scientific discoveries however now show that at least 50% of heart attacks happen to people with normal cholesterol levels. There is therefore more to preventing heart disease than maintaining the right cholesterol levels. Doctors are now looking into the aspect of testing for artery inflammation which may lead to heart attacks in people with normal cholesterol levels.

Myth #2: Obesity is the only thing that can diminish good cholesterol numbers.

Over eating and being overweight are definitely clear risk factors to lowering good cholesterol numbers, heart disease and stroke. There are however numerous other risk factors to watch out for even in slim individuals. Number one of these risk factors is an unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking, eating foods rich in saturated fats, a sedentary life and a generally unhealthy diet could all be warning signs to an increased risk of heart attack.

Myth #3: All fats reduce good cholesterol numbers.

Not all fats were created equal. There are fats that you should avoid as much as possible but there are also some fats that you should get a healthy dose of. Saturated fats and trans fats contained in processed foods, junk food, margarine and pork fat are the kinds of fats that may increase bad cholesterol levels. You may however take moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats contained in canola, olive oil, nuts and peanut butter. Fish oils from tuna and salmon also provide health benefits for the heart. As a general rule though, your total fat intake should only be 25%-35% of your overall caloric intake. Only 7% of this can be saturated fats.

Myth #4: All young people have good cholesterol numbers.

It is true that men who are over 40 and women over 50 have higher risks of having heart attacks. This does not mean though that young people are exempted from the risk factors. Heart attack may be hereditary but that alone is not even enough to increase the risk of some young people. Genes combined with bad lifestyle habits may increase the chances of heart attack in young adults. It is also a fact that even teens and children have obesity problems which is again a risk factor in heart disease.

Myth #5: Medication is the only way to maintain good cholesterol numbers.

Your doctor will not immediately recommend that you take medication to maintain good cholesterol numbers. Most severe cases of heart problems that may lead to heart attack need a life time medication treatment. Doctors therefore usually recommend changing some life and diet habits for those whose conditions have been diagnosed early. Only when an individual doesn’t respond favorably to treatment can a doctor recommend medication.