Is 258 total cholesterol high?

Is 258 total cholesterol high?

In general, you want to have a cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL. Between 200 mg/dL and 239 mg/dL, your cholesterol level is elevated or borderline-high and should be lowered if you can. With a level of 240 mg/dL or above, your cholesterol level is high, and there is a need for action.

Why is my cholesterol high for no reason?

Many different factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol, including lifestyle factors like smoking, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, as well as having an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

How can I lower my cholesterol without medication?

Common ways to lower cholesterol levels include a mix of diet adjustment, lifestyle changes, and medication. There is scientific evidence to show that changing the things you eat can help lower cholesterol levels, as can exercise and stopping smoking. This can be enough to avoid medications in some people, but not in everyone.

Is it good to avoid medications for high cholesterol?

This can be enough to avoid medications in some people, but not in everyone. Whether or not you need to take high cholesterol medication, healthy habits that help to lower cholesterol levels are always a good idea.

Is it bad to have too little cholesterol?

A cholesterol number close to ZERO is not good. Or perfect. Having too little cholesterol may be even more dangerous than having too much. Panicky patients driven by fear-inducing TV commercials and enabling doctors preemptively popping statin drugs like candy is not wise.

When to take your child to the doctor for high cholesterol?

Children who are physically active, have a healthy diet, aren’t overweight, and don’t have a family history of high cholesterol are at a lower risk for having high cholesterol. Current guidelines recommend that all children have their cholesterol checked between ages 9 and 12, and then again between ages 17 and 21.

Is it possible to have high cholesterol with no symptoms?

High cholesterol can be inherited, but it’s often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which make it preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol. High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it.

What are some misconceptions about high cholesterol in children?

Misconception: Cholesterol isn’t a concern for children. High cholesterol can be inherited. This is referred to as familial hypercholesterolemia. Children who have this genetic disorder are at very high risk of heart disease. This problem is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide.

What to do if you have high cholesterol at Mayo Clinic?

A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol. Book: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life! High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it. Ask your doctor if you should have a cholesterol test.

What was my cholesterol level 2 years ago?

I knew my cholesterol could be a little high. 2 years ago it was 203 which is borderline high. With my level now at 243 my doctor recommended I try to lower my cholesterol naturally with diet and exercise. Then, after trying that, if my cholesterol was still high I would be advised to go on cholesterol lowering medication. I did not want that.