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Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that has many important functions in the body. However, high cholesterol levels can lead to serious health problems, especially heart disease and stroke. When cholesterol levels are dangerous in men is usually assessed by looking at total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL AND IDEAL LEVELS

Total Cholesterol
Ideal Level: Below 200 mg/dL
Borderline High: 200-239 mg/dL
High: 240 mg/dL and above

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
Ideal Level: Below 100 mg/dL
Borderline High: 100-129 mg/dL
High: 130-159 mg/dL
Very High: 160 mg/dL and above

HDL (Good) Cholesterol
Ideal Level: Above 60 mg/dL
Low: Below 40 mg/dL (for men)

Triglycerides
Ideal Level: Below 150 mg/dL
Borderline High: 150-199 mg/dL
High: 200-499 mg/dL
Very High: 500 mg/dL and above

Dangerous Cholesterol Levels and Risk Factors

When considering whether your cholesterol levels are dangerous, personal health, lifestyle, and other risk factors should be considered beyond just the numbers above:

Family History of Heart Disease: People with a family history of early heart disease are at greater risk of high cholesterol.

Age and Gender: Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age. The risk is higher in men, especially those age 45 and older.

Smoking: Smoking lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease.

Hypertension: High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and cause cholesterol to stick to the walls of your arteries.

Diabetes: People with diabetes may have higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

Ways to Manage Cholesterol

The following lifestyle changes and treatments are recommended to keep cholesterol levels within healthy ranges:

Healthy Diet: Avoid saturated and trans fats. Eat fiber-rich foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.

Healthy Weight: Losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight can improve cholesterol levels.

Smoking and Alcohol: Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Regular Checkups: Have your cholesterol levels checked regularly and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Medication: If necessary, your doctor may prescribe statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications.

A doctor's checkup and regular blood tests are important for men to determine if their cholesterol levels are dangerous. Keeping cholesterol levels under control with healthy lifestyle changes and medical interventions when necessary is critical to maintaining heart health.