What are the healthy levels for LDL and HDL cholesterol in the blood?

Levels of blood lipids, glucose and various enzymes implicated in heart and other chronic disease;

Diabetes:

Diabetes is referred to'' a set of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting by defects in insulin secretions or its mode of action''. Different pathogenetic processes intricate  the development of the disease.

 These processes influence the efficiency of pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. Lack of insulin or insulin resistance cause rise in blood glucose level and result in to diabetes. Chronic hyperglycemia is associated to different complications which in long - run leads to dysfunction or failure of organs such as eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.

Blood Lipid Levels:

Total Cholesterol: Healthy levels typically range from 125 to 200 mg/dL.

LDL Cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Optimal levels should be below 100 mg/dL.

HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein): Higher levels are desirable, with values above 60 mg/dL considered protective.

Triglycerides: Normal levels fall between 10 to 150 mg/dL.

Blood Glucose Levels:

Fasting Blood Glucose: Normal levels are between 70 to 100 mg/dL.

Postprandial Blood Glucose (2 hours after eating): Should be less than 140 mg/dL.

Enzymes Implicated in Heart and Chronic Diseases:

Creatine Kinase (CK): Elevated levels may indicate muscle damage, including heart muscle.

Alanine Transaminase (ALT): Elevated ALT levels may indicate liver damage.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Elevated AST levels can indicate liver, heart, or muscle damage.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Elevated CRP levels are associated with inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk.

Role of Diet Therapy:

Saturated Fats: Reducing intake of foods high in saturated fats can help lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., fatty fish, flaxseeds) can improve blood lipid profiles.

Plant Sterols: Foods fortified with plant sterols may help lower LDL cholesterol.

Exercise Role:

Aerobic Exercise: Regular aerobic activities (e.g., brisk walking, jogging) can increase HDL cholesterol and improve overall lipid profiles.

Strength Training: Incorporating resistance training helps maintain muscle mass and supports better metabolism of fats and glucose.

Physical Activity: Consistent physical activity can help manage blood glucose levels and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Note: It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are on medications. Individual responses to diet and exercise may vary.

Type of diabetes;

1) Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes is the consequence of beta-cell destruction leading to insulin deficiency.

11) Type 2 diabetes is the result of insulin resistance or insulin deficiency

111) gestational diabetes

Type 1 diabetes;

Type 1diaetesis also called as insulin - dependent disable is an autoimmune disease in which immune system mistakenly attack and cause irreversible damage to beta - cell in the pancreas which produce insulin. The reason behind the attack might be genetic or   due to environmental factor.

Type 11 diabetes;

Type 11 diabetes, also turned as non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult -onset diabetes, is characterized by insulin resistance resulting in to deficiency of insulin throughout of the life. The risk of developing type 11 diabetes increase with age, obesity and physical inactivity.

Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM);

It is defined a glucose intolerance which onset during pregnancy. During pregnancy some women are unable to produce enough insulin or encounter insulin resistance due to obesity and overweight. Women with family history of diabetes are more likely to develop gestation diabetes.

GDM is screened in pregnant women around 28 week of gestation . These are some complications associated with GDM including premature birth, congenital malformation, neonatal hypoglycemia and intrauterine death.

,Diagnosis of diabetes;

Following are some of the diagnosis tests used for diabetes . Every method needs repeated on 2nd day for conformation of results.

Hemoglobin AIC

The HBAIC is the test conducted to measure the average blood sugar level for past 2-3 month. The test is advantageous since it does not require subject to fast before blood sampling. 

Fasting plasma glucose(FPG);

This test is carried out to check the fasting blood sugar level. It is necessary not to eat or drink anything expect water foe at least 8-12 hour before test. That's why this test is performed in he morning before having breakfast .

Oral glucose tolerance; 

It was first developed in early 19th century and is an easier and efficient method for measuring blood glucose level. OGTT is a two - hour test in which blood sugar level before and 2 hours after intake of 50 0r 100g of glucose is checked . Before the test, the subject must not eat and drink certain fluid for about 8-12 hours. This test helps to know how body processes sugar. 

Random plasma glucose 

This test is performed at any time of day, after 2 hours of meal intake. The test is usually performed when sever diabetes symptom are observed.

Diabetes is confirmed, if glucose level in blood is higher or equal o 200 mg/dl

Diagnosis       AIC                     FPG                 OGTT

                        (%)          (mg/dl)(mmol/L)        (mg/dl)(mmol/L)

Normal           <5.7         <100           <6            <140      <7.8

Pre-diabetes    5.7-6.4     100-125     6-7         140-199    7.9-11

Diabetes          > 6.5           >126      >7.0          >  200     > 11

Hypertension ;

Hypertension is characterized by the raised level of blood pressure in arteries, leading to increase chances of cardiovascular diseases. the seventh report of joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation  and treatment of high blood pressure (BP), made a blood pressure classification for adult >18 year of age. 

The normal BP of an adult is <120/80mm Hg whereas, hypertension is characterized as >140/90 mmHg. In two measured values, upper value refers the systolic blood pressure which is ''the pressure when the heart beats- while the heart muscle is contracting (squeezing) and mumping oxygen- rich blood into the blood vessels''. 

Whereas, the lower value refers to the diastolic blood pressure which is ''the pressure on the blood vessels when the heart muscles relaxes. The diastolic pressure is always lower than the systolic pressure. 

The specific causes of hypertension are unknown to practitioners, but  several reasons are correlated to hypertension including tress, smoking and genetics. 

Hypertension is categorized in to stage.

1) Patients having systolic blood pressure 140-159mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 90- 99mmHg.

2) Patient having systolic blood pressure >160mmHg or diastolic blood pressure>100mmHg

Blood pressure measurement with sphygmomanometer;

The BP is measured during rest over number of different day's; several high values of the two (systolic or diastolic)or one (either of the systolic or diastolic) measurement is indicative of high BP. During first instance, BP is measured at both arms, higher values are used to assess the BP.

The sphygmomanometer consist of three part;

1)Acuff which is inflated with air

2)A manometer used to measure pressure in the cuff

3)A stethoscope used for hearing sound made by blood flowing through brachial artery (upper arm major artery)

The manometer has a scale graded from 0 to 300 mmHg, a rubber pump to inflate the air in cuff and a button for letting the air vent out. For blood pressure measurements, cuff is wrapped around the stretched bare arm  and inflated until the blood flow is stopped trough brachial artery. 

Subsequently, the air is released from the cuff slowly. Immediately when pressure in cuff falls below the systolic pressure in brachial artery, blood starts to flow through the arm once again. It creates a pounding sound when the arteries close again, and the walls of the vessels hit each other after a heartbeat. 

This sound is heard by placing the stethoscope close to the elbow. Right after one starts to hear this sound for first time, one can read the systolic blood pressure off the manometer. The pounding sounds stops when air pressure in cuff falls below diastolic blood pressure in brachial artery, leaving the blood vessels open. Right after pounding stops, one can read the diastolic blood pressure of manometer.

Cardiovascular diseases CVD's:

Cardiovascular diseases are leading cause of deaths worldwide. It's estimated that CVD's accounts for 30% of global deaths. The major reasons behind CVD's is build up of plaque within inner walls of blood vessels due to high fat intake.

 Apart, other factors such as diabetes, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption contributes to CVD's. CVD's are referred to a group of disorders related to heart and blood vessels and includes:

Coronary heart disease- disease of vessels supplying blood to heart muscles.

Cerebrovascular diseases- diseases of vessels supplying blood to brain.

Peripheral arterial diseases- diseases of vessels supplying blood to arms and legs.

Congenital heart disease- malformations of heart structures existing at birth

Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism- blood clots formed in leg vein, may dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.

a. Diagnosis of CVD's:

Cholesterol, a waxy substances require by the body to perform several functions is synthesized by liver. Apart, dietary cholesterol is supplied by animal based products. Excessive intake of cholesterol increase the risk of coronary artery diseases. A blood test known as lipoprotein panel is carried out to assess cholesterol level after mandatory fast of at least 9-12 hours. 

Alanine aminotransferase:

Alanine aminotransferase an enzyme also termed as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGOT)  found mainly in liver, skeletal muscles, myocardium, pancreas and kidney. It is released in blood after 8-12 hour of injury. 

Serum peak is observed at 24-36h as it returns to normality after 4-6 days of injury. Liver disease, myocardial infarction pancreatitis and toxic drugs result in elevation of the Alanine aminotransferase levels. the normal value for adults are 0-35 U/L or 0-0.58microkat/L.

Bilirubin:

Bilirubin is major pigment of bile produced by liver , spleen and bone marrow as a result of breakdown of old RBC's. In serum bilirubin levels are reported as direct, indirect and total bilirubin. 

Unconjugated and indirect bilirubin is the bilirubin synthesized from RBC's breakdown and travel to blood in the liver. It moves to the intestine before gets removes through the stools. Total bilirubin consists of both indirect and direct bilirubin.

 Serum bilirubin level increase's due to liver inability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin. Elevated serum conjugated bilirubin suggests the obstruction of bile passage and elevated free bilirubin indicate excessive hemolysis of RBC's. Serum bilirubin concentration of more than 2mg/dl results into jaundice. 

The reference values of averages of total bilirubin of adults are 0.3-1.0mg/dl or 5.1-17micro mol/L, for conjugated bilirubin are 0.2-0.8mg/dl or 3.4-12.0 micro mol/L.

Blood urea nitrogen:

    Urea the end product of protein catabolism is synthesized in liver and excreted by kidneys. An elevated level of blood urea indicates renal failure, insufficient renal blood supply, heart failure, high protein intake and blockage in urinary tract.

 Decreased level of urea nitrogen indicates liver disease, malnutrition, overhydration and excessive anabolic steroid use. The average range for normal adults is 10-20 mg/L or 3.6-7.1mmol/L.

What are the healthy levels for LDL and HDL cholesterol in the blood?

How can a diet high in saturated fats impact your blood lipid levels?

What role does exercise play in regulating blood lipid levels?

How can hyperlipidemia, or high blood lipid levels, contribute to cardiovascular diseases?

What medications are commonly used to control high levels of blood lipids?

Which blood lipid is linked to heart disease?

Why is heart disease associated with abnormal lipid results?

What are blood lipid levels?

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