Cholesterol is the general norm in women after 50. The norm of cholesterol in the blood by age in men and women, what to do if it is elevated. Normal cholesterol level in men

The cell membranes of every person contain cholesterol, an organic compound produced by the body from the food it eats. Excess cholesterol compounds in the blood threatens the development of cardiovascular diseases. A table of cholesterol norms for women by age, compiled by our experts, will help you organize your diet correctly and avoid health problems.

Cholesterol is a white, fat-like substance from the group of lipids, without which most physiological processes in the human body would be impossible. Most of the cholesterol compounds are produced in the liver, kidneys and intestines; some more comes from food.

A stably maintained level of cholesterol in the blood is responsible for:

• formation and support of the cellular framework;
• production of steroid hormones;
• functionality of the intestinal mucosa;
• vitamin D production.

Since cholesterol, being a waxy substance, does not dissolve in water, its distribution throughout the body is ensured by lipoproteins - proteins, the combination with which forms soluble forms.

These complex compounds differ in their degree of density. High molecular weight lipoproteins in blood plasma are characterized by high density, abbreviated as HDL, and are known as “good” cholesterol, as they prevent the development and consequences of atherosclerosis.

Low molecular weight and very low molecular weight (LDL and VLDL, respectively) lipoproteins are called “bad” cholesterol, as they contribute to the sedimentation and accumulation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels and the gradual clogging of arteries.

Exceeding the cholesterol norm for 10 years inevitably leads to vascular pathologies and heart attacks.

Main Causes of High Cholesterol

Due to the physiological characteristics of the body, women more often than men suffer from the consequences of high cholesterol.

This happens because the balance of lipids depends on the hormonal levels in the body. And in women, the amount of hormones in the blood changes throughout life - first during pregnancy, then at the onset of menopause.

Hormonal changes that accompany the most important periods in a woman’s body are characterized by instability in the production of hormones - during pregnancy their quantity increases sharply, and during menopause it rapidly decreases.

And if in the body of pregnant women a huge amount of cholesterol is spent on the production of hormones necessary for the normal development of the fetus, then with the advent of age-related factors, lipid compounds remain unclaimed due to a sharp decrease in hormonal levels.

Other factors that provoke inflammation of the walls of blood vessels and thus increase their vulnerability to cholesterol deposits include:

• excess weight;
• alcohol abuse;
• excessive consumption of foods containing carbohydrates and saturated fats;
• smoking;
• low physical activity;
• dysfunction of internal organs - thyroid gland, liver, adrenal glands, pancreas;
• hereditary predisposition.

As a rule, an increase in lipid levels in the body begins after a woman reaches the age of 20. A special diet for high cholesterol and regular physical activity can slow down or even stop the process of accumulation of lipoprotein substances.

Cholesterol norms for women by age

Inconsistency of cholesterol levels with the norm negatively affects blood viscosity and the strength of blood vessels. Moreover, a woman’s health is negatively affected not only by an increase, but also by a decrease in lipid levels.

To avoid a possible deterioration in health, it is necessary to periodically check cholesterol levels in the body and take appropriate measures if the results of the study confirm the presence of pathology. Experts recommend screening every five years for all women after reaching 20 years of age.

With age, the concentration of lipoproteins in the blood increases. Therefore, doctors correlate the safe level of cholesterol compounds in the blood with age.

In young women, lipid levels are usually low, since the intensity of metabolic processes allows them to cope with harmful substances even with poor nutrition.

Cholesterol norm by age from 40 to 50 years

After reaching 40 years of age, metabolism slows down, and a woman’s health status changes for the worse. Especially if you have bad habits. Therefore, the norms for forty-year-olds are higher than for thirty-year-olds.

For ages 50 - 60 years

Fifty-year-old women experience low vascular permeability and elasticity due to various chronic diseases. In addition, during this age period there is a decline in reproductive function, and along with it the amount of estrogens - female sex hormones that stabilize lipid levels - decreases.

Accordingly, the cholesterol level in women after 50 years becomes even higher than before.

Standard cholesterol levels after 60 years

The age of 60 in women is characterized by the presence of many chronic diseases and the onset of menopause, which increases the concentration of cholesterol compounds in the blood. During this period, it is especially important to constantly monitor cholesterol and sugar levels, as well as eat right.

After the age of 70, lipid levels decrease significantly.

Correct table of cholesterol levels by age

A blood test for cholesterol is taken from a finger prick. The results of the study make it possible to determine not only the total level of lipids, but also the amount of LDL and HDL in the molar mass of the substance per liter of blood.

The table shows that normal values ​​gradually increase with age.

The optimal level of total cholesterol is considered not to exceed 4.5 mmol/l. The optimal level of LDL is not higher than 4.1 mmol/l, and HDL is not lower than 1.5 mmol/l.

In pregnant women, the total blood volume doubles, so normal cholesterol levels range from 3.3 to 7 mmol/l, depending on the age of the expectant mother.

Decoding the result of a blood test for cholesterol

When deciphering the result of a cholesterol test, doctors do not rely on a table with indicators of age norms. The risk of developing cardiac and vascular pathologies against the background of atherosclerosis is evidenced not only by a significant increase in lipid levels, but also by the presence of excess weight, as well as frequent pressure surges.

An important risk factor is age after 45 years.

In the results of the study, you can find symbols of indicators:

• total cholesterol - Chol;
• high density lipoproteins - HDL;
• low density lipoproteins - LDL;
• triglycerides -TG;
• atherogenic index -IA.

If there are significant deviations from normal cholesterol levels, you should consult a cardiologist.

Diet for high cholesterol in women

A significant increase in cholesterol levels requires correction, taking into account the patient’s weight and lifestyle.

Doctors consider the following methods to be the most effective:

• drug treatment that involves taking statins - special tablets that lower blood lipid levels;
• a diet with a predominance of foods that contain no or low cholesterol;
• traditional methods that reduce critical indicators to normal.

Optimal treatment results are achieved using all of the above methods.

What foods lower cholesterol?

The anti-cholesterol diet involves adjusting the diet with an increase in foods that have the property of cleansing blood vessels.

The following are considered especially useful:

• vegetables - carrots, tomatoes, artichokes, avocados, garlic, peas, beets, broccoli, spinach, white cabbage;
• fruits - bananas, pineapples, citrus fruits, apples;
• berries - cranberries, viburnum, black currants, chokeberries, raspberries, blueberries.

In addition, it is advisable to include fatty sea fish, nuts and herbs, cinnamon and turmeric in the daily menu. The most effective drinks are green tea, freshly squeezed juices, including vegetables, and fruit drinks.

Any vegetable fats are safe in terms of increasing cholesterol, since their cells do not contain such compounds. But olive oil has especially valuable properties.

How to reduce cholesterol with folk remedies?

To normalize the cholesterol balance in the blood, traditional medicine involves the use of herbs and natural ingredients.

Among the most reliable, effective and proven means:

• drink made from dried dandelion root. A teaspoon of powder is brewed like regular tea;
• tincture of golden mustache leaf. This plant has long been known for its medicinal properties. A leaf at least 20 cm long is cut and infused in a liter of boiling water. Drink a tablespoon 20-30 minutes before meals;
• lemon and garlic are an excellent remedy for cleaning blood vessels from cholesterol deposits. For one kg of lemons, take 200 g of garlic, grind it and take two sips daily;
• alcohol tincture of propolis is a powerful medicine against lipids.
• Red rowan will help stabilize cholesterol levels if you eat a small handful of fresh berries daily.

Changes in lifestyle and nutrition necessary to correct cholesterol levels will also have a beneficial effect on a woman’s overall well-being - they will improve the condition of her skin, nails and hair, and stabilize sleep and the nervous system. And most importantly, they will become an inexhaustible source of energy for the implementation of plans for the future.

Cholesterol is a solid fat-like substance from the class of lipophilic (fat-soluble) alcohols. This compound is one of the intermediate products of plastic metabolism, is part of cell membranes, and is the starting material for the synthesis of a number of hormones, including sex hormones.

A person's daily need for cholesterol is about 5 g. About 80% of the necessary cholesterol is synthesized in the liver, the rest a person gets from food of animal origin.

There is little pure cholesterol in the body; in the blood there are complexes of this substance with special transport proteins. Such complexes are called lipoproteins. One of the key characteristics of lipoproteins is density. Based on this indicator, they are divided into low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL, respectively).

Lipoproteins of different densities are conventionally divided into “good” and “bad” cholesterol. The conditional name “bad cholesterol” is given to low-density complexes. These compounds tend to settle on the walls of blood vessels. As cholesterol accumulates, the elasticity of the vascular walls decreases, over time, so-called plaques form, and atherosclerosis develops. If the content of this fraction of lipoproteins increases, it is worth changing the composition of the diet to prevent the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. With diagnosed atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, after a stroke or heart attack, this indicator should be monitored even more strictly. For a healthy person, the permissible LDL cholesterol level is 4 mmol/l, with a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases - no more than 3.3 mmol/l, with coronary artery disease - no more than 2.5 mmol/l.

“Good” cholesterol is called high-density compounds. These complexes do not deposit on the walls of blood vessels; moreover, there is evidence of their cleansing effect. HDL cleans the walls of blood vessels from deposits of “bad” cholesterol, after which unwanted compounds are utilized in the liver. Normally, the HDL cholesterol content should not be lower than the LDL cholesterol content; if the ratio changes, this indicates errors in the diet.

With age, there is a natural increase in cholesterol levels in the blood, but if its level exceeds age norms, this is an alarming signal. Elevated cholesterol may indicate hidden pathological processes in the body, and also creates preconditions for the development of atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol norm

The cholesterol level in women is a dynamic indicator. It changes depending on hormonal characteristics, as well as with age. Finding out the individual norm of cholesterol in women by age will help you navigate the results of blood tests, notice the risk of developing vascular damage in time and take appropriate measures.

Information about the characteristics of lipid metabolism is provided by a special analysis - a lipid profile. The results of the analysis indicate the content of different fractions of cholesterol and its total concentration.

Normal cholesterol levels are a relative indicator and depend primarily on age. The level of cholesterol in the blood of women after 50 years of age is completely unacceptable for patients who have barely turned 30.

Blood cholesterol levels in women by age

The cholesterol content in the blood of women changes slightly with age until reproductive function declines. After menopause, the permissible normal values ​​increase sharply. The table clearly illustrates how much the norm of cholesterol in the blood of women after 40 years differs from the levels acceptable in the next age group. When interpreting analysis data, in addition to the approximate normal limits for specific age groups, the doctor takes into account:

• Season. During the cold season, cholesterol concentrations increase and may exceed permissible values. A deviation from the age norm of 2-4% is considered as a variant of the individual physiological norm.
• Hormonal background. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, cholesterol concentration increases by about 10%, at the end the permissible deviation from the norm is up to 8%. Fluctuations in cholesterol levels are associated with changes in lipid synthesis in response to changes in hormonal balance.
• Pregnancy. During the period of bearing a child, the intensity of the processes of synthesis of fatty compounds changes greatly. The concentration of cholesterol in the blood can exceed the average norm by 12-15%.
• Diseases. After suffering an acute respiratory infection, acute attacks of angina pectoris or hypertension, a significant decrease in cholesterol concentration is possible (up to 15% of normal).
• Oncological processes. The growth and reproduction of tumor cells is accompanied by active consumption of nutrients, including cholesterol.

Risk factors

Risk factors for increased blood cholesterol include lifestyle characteristics, heredity, the presence of certain diseases or a predisposition to them.

Lipid metabolism processes are controlled by 95 genes, each of which can be damaged during mutations. Hereditary disorders of lipid metabolism are detected with a frequency of 1:500. Defective genes appear as dominant genes, so the presence of familial cholesterol problems in one or both parents indicates a high likelihood of similar problems in children.

Cholesterol contained in food plays an important, but not a key role. People with a family history are especially sensitive to foods high in cholesterol.

Insufficient physical activity is also a provoking factor. Energy metabolism is slowed down, which naturally leads to an increase in the content of “bad” cholesterol.

Unstable cholesterol levels in the blood may be associated with pathologies of the liver, kidneys or thyroid gland. Deviations in cholesterol levels from the norm in women after 40 years of age often indicate the presence of hidden disorders in the functioning of these organs.

The connection between excess weight and lipid metabolism disorders is obvious; what is the cause and what is the consequence has not been definitively established.

Smoking and hypertension provoke an increase in the concentration of cholesterol in the blood.

The more aggravating factors in the patient’s history, the more strictly cholesterol levels should be controlled. To maintain normal cholesterol levels, a woman after 50 years will have to make a little more effort than in her youth. Among the most obvious preventive measures is diet correction. You will have to give up fatty meats and dairy products. Sea fish rich in polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids is desirable on the table.

An excellent way to prevent high cholesterol levels is through vigorous physical activity.

Women suffer from hypercholesterolemia as often as men. Elevated cholesterol (the norm of cholesterol for women by age is prescribed in a special table) is observed during pregnancy and with serious cardiovascular diseases. Before declaring a fight against “harmful” lipoproteins, it is necessary to understand the reason for the change in indicators.

As a result of numerous studies, scientists have proven that the level of cholesterol in the blood of women varies depending on age and hormonal levels. Average values ​​from 3 to 5.2 mmol/l can be considered conditional. Such a content of the compound can be found in both a healthy 20-year-old girl and a mature patient with the initial stage of atherosclerosis. When making a diagnosis, the doctor must take into account not only the total lipoprotein level, but also the content of HDL, LDL, the ratio of lipoproteins of different densities, and the amount of triglycerides. Only with a comprehensive study can one understand whether the cholesterol level in the blood of women is normal or too high, and for what reason the indicators have changed.

A comprehensive blood test for cholesterol compounds is called a lipid profile.

It should be noted that blood cholesterol levels in women are exceeded in cases of thyroid disease and other hormonal disorders. Altered levels of lipoproteins are also observed during pregnancy. In the 1st and 2nd trimester, the overall indicators for expectant mothers double or even triple. With the onset of the last trimester, cholesterol levels gradually drop, and after childbirth they return to normal.

The benefits and harms of lipoproteins

Many patients, when faced with the terms good and bad cholesterol, begin to make hasty conclusions, which in most cases turn out to be erroneous. In their opinion, it is necessary to maximize the content of the first type of compounds and get rid of the second. But that's not true! Both HDL and LDL are needed for normal functioning.

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Indicators of lipid metabolism, one of which is cholesterol, play an important role in assessing cardiovascular risk. It refers to the likelihood of a person having a heart attack or stroke and dying from them in the next 10 years. What should be the normal level of cholesterol in the blood and what to do if it is elevated?

Function of cholesterol in the body

According to its chemical structure, cholesterol belongs to the class of lipophilic alcohols. It is vitally necessary for the body, as it is an integral part of cell membranes and is involved in the synthesis of:

• hormones - testosterone, cortisol, aldosterone, estrogens, progesterone;
• vitamin D3;
• bile acids.

About 80% of cholesterol is produced by various human organs (mainly the liver), 20% enters the body with food.

This substance does not dissolve in water, so it cannot move through the bloodstream on its own. To do this, it binds to special proteins - apolipoproteins. The resulting complexes are called lipoproteins.

Some of them have a high density (HDL), others have a low density (LDL). The former remove excess fat from the body, the latter settle on the vascular walls, participating in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Formation of atherosclerotic plaques

Therefore, when we talk about “good” lipids, we mean HDL, and when we talk about “bad” lipids, we mean LDL. Total cholesterol is the sum of all lipoproteins.

A study of lipid metabolism is carried out in order to assess a person’s risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications.

Despite the fact that men and women have different levels of cholesterol in the blood (the table by age is given below), there are regulated indicators in medicine.

The global network provides abundant information on cholesterol standards. Often, figures are given that absolutely do not correspond to the real ones used by doctors. There are official orders, resolutions, and guidelines that indicate clear boundaries of the minimum and maximum indicators.

Doctors in their practice are guided by the figures recommended by the World Health Organization. They look like this:

In his work, the doctor focuses on the range of values ​​he needs, taking into account concomitant diseases. If a person has diabetes, it does not matter what age he is - his cholesterol should be no more than 5.0 mmol/l. Exceeding this figure worsens the prognosis.

Normal cholesterol level in women

The table shows the normal level of cholesterol in the blood of women of different ages.

The age of 40 years is the limit after which there is a high probability of developing vascular and heart diseases associated with atherosclerosis.

As can be seen from the table, in women over 50 years of age, the level of normal cholesterol and LDL in the blood is quite significantly increased. This is due to hormonal changes (which are treated by endocrinologists) that occur during menopause. Metabolic processes slow down at this age, and the body requires more energy to process lipids.

Normal blood cholesterol levels in women after 50 and after 60 years

With the onset of menopause, a woman’s hormonal levels change - the body’s natural defenses against many factors, including. - the risk of cardiovascular pathologies increases. Therefore, after 50 years, it is especially important to monitor the level of cholesterol and its fractions (LDL, HDL, TG). It is necessary to donate blood annually as part of a free medical examination. If deviations are detected, the frequency of examinations and management tactics for the patient are determined by the doctor. The average cholesterol level for a healthy person after 50 years of age is 3.0 - 5.5 mmol/l. In the presence of concomitant pathology (coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus), the indicator should not be higher than 5.0. For people who have suffered an ischemic stroke - no more than 4.5 mmol/l.

Normal cholesterol level in men

Below is the normal level of cholesterol in the blood of men depending on age.

If you look closely at the cholesterol levels in the table, you will notice that its level in the blood of men after 60 years of age decreases. This is due to a slowdown in metabolism and regression of all body functions. In men, the risk of atherosclerosis and life-threatening conditions (stroke, heart attack) is initially higher. Their heart and blood vessels are not protected by the action of sex hormones. In addition, representatives of the stronger sex are more often prone to bad habits than women.

Normal cholesterol level in children

Causes of high and low cholesterol

In women and men over 40 years of age, excess cholesterol in the blood may be associated with genetic defects in lipid metabolism, but more often the cause remains unknown. Factors that contribute to increased blood cholesterol levels include:

• liver and gallbladder diseases;
• smoking;
• tumors of the pancreas, prostate gland;
• gout;
• chronic renal failure (the causes and treatment of kidney disease in women are described here);
• endocrine pathology (insufficient production of somatotropic hormone, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism).

In women, the cause of increased blood cholesterol compared to the norm can be pregnancy. Those who are planning to get pregnant after 40 need to know this.

Reduced lipid values ​​are observed with:

• starvation, exhaustion;
• extensive burns;
• severe infections (treated by an infectious disease specialist);
• sepsis;
• malignant liver tumors (diagnosed and treated by an oncologist);
• some types of anemia;
• chronic lung diseases (read how to treat chronic bronchitis in this article);
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• hyperthyroidism.

Low blood lipid levels also occur in those who are vegetarians or take medications such as neomycin, thyroxine, ketoconazole, interferon, and estrogens.

Risk groups for high cholesterol

It has been proven that hypercholesterolemia occurs more often in people who:

• eat large amounts of animal fats;
• move little;
• are overweight;
• abuse alcohol;
• smoke;
• take certain medications for a long time (androgens, diuretics, glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, amiodarone, levodopa).

Men over 40 and women over 50 undergo a screening test for blood cholesterol (the norm is indicated in the tables above). It is one of the factors that is taken into account when calculating absolute cardiovascular risk.

Doctor's advice

Nutrition for low cholesterol. You can eat any kind of porridge. If you have poor tolerance to milk protein, you can cook them with water, but it is better with half and half milk and water. There is little cholesterol in milk, especially store-bought milk, but the body needs protein. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of natural butter without vegetable fat to the finished porridge. You can eat this 2-3 times a week. On other days, the porridge should be seasoned with vegetable oil. Today, olive oil is considered the most beneficial in terms of cholesterol. You can also use regular sunflower, sea buckthorn, and camelina. Rapeseed should not be used. Salads should also be seasoned with butter or 10% sour cream instead of mayonnaise.

High and very high absolute risk means that in the coming years a person may suffer from severe and even fatal disorders of the heart and blood vessels.

Hypercholesterolemia is especially dangerous for people suffering from:

• coronary heart disease (therapy is carried out and advised by a cardiologist);
• atherosclerosis of the lower extremities;
• obesity;
• people prone to blood clots;
• chronic kidney diseases;
• hypertension;
• chronic kidney diseases;
• hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus (treated by an endocrinologist);
• collagenoses (for example, rheumatoid arthritis).

These conditions require frequent monitoring of lipids and drug correction if they increase.

What to do if cholesterol is high, how to bring it back to normal

Even among young people, starting from 18 years old, with prof. During examinations and medical examinations, blood is taken for total cholesterol. If it is elevated, the doctor gives recommendations for lifestyle changes. Compliance with them can delay the occurrence of vascular atherosclerosis and related complications.

To do this, first of all, you need to change your diet. The following should be excluded from it:

• fatty meat, sausage, smoked meats, lard, offal;
• mayonnaise, fatty sauces;
• fatty dairy products (cream, cheese, sour cream);
• confectionery, flour products;
• carbonated drinks;
• canned foods, semi-finished products;
• alcohol;
• margarine.

In the daily menu it is better to give preference to:

• vegetable salads with the addition of vegetable oil;
• sea ​​fish;
• lean meat;
• fresh vegetables, fruits;
• porridge on water;
• vegetable soups or soups cooked in low-fat broth;
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• mineral water, unsweetened berry fruit drinks, freshly squeezed juices;
• whole grain, rye or bran bread.

Changing your diet: Your health is in your hands

Low physical activity negatively affects the level of “bad” lipids. Therefore, young people should play sports, the elderly and sick should walk at a moderate pace, climb the stairs to their floor.

In women over 50 years of age receiving hormone replacement therapy due to menopausal syndrome, cholesterol increases compared to the norm. Before starting hormonal medications, they should visit a general practitioner or cardiologist.

People who have diseases that are dangerous in terms of absolute cardiovascular risk should constantly take lipid-lowering drugs. These include fibrates, statins, etc. They stabilize atherosclerotic plaques, that is, they do not allow them to collapse. The destruction of the plaque entails necrosis of the vessel or its detachment and entry into the vascular bed in the form of a thrombus. Thrombosis and necrosis of cardiac vessels lead to myocardial infarction, and cerebral vessels lead to stroke.