Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your body that performs a number of vital functions, including cell tissue creation and nerve protection. When excessive amounts of cholesterol accumulate in your blood, you may develop increased risks for ailments such as heart attack or stroke. You can diminish these risks by keeping your blood cholesterol in a healthy range.
The Basics
Your blood contains two main forms of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein or LDL, and high-density lipoprotein or HDL, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, AAFP. While LDL promotes the development of a dangerous artery-hardening process called atherosclerosis, HDL removes harmful cholesterol from your bloodstream and transports it to your liver for elimination. Calculations of a healthy cholesterol range must include measurements of the relative amounts of both LDL and HDL, the AAFP explains. The testing procedure for blood cholesterol is known as a lipid panel.
LDL Levels
If your levels of LDL fall below 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood, or 100 mg/dL, they are considered optimally low, according to the American Heart Association, AHA. If your LDL falls between 100 and 129 mg/dL, you have near-optimal levels. If you have LDL between 130 and 159 mg/dL, your levels fall into the borderline high category. Levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL fall into the high category, while levels of 190 mg/dL or above are considered very high.
HDL Levels
If you are male, your HDL levels will typically fall between 40 and 50 mg/dL, the AHA reports. Average levels for women fall between 50 and 60 mg/dL. For men, HDL totals below 40 mg/dL create an increased risk for the development of heart disease. For women, totals below 50 mg/dL similarly increase heart disease risks. For both men and women, HDL levels of 60 mg/dL or greater may help actively lower heart disease risks.
Triglycerides
Heart health risks also include the relative presence of a third fatty blood substance called triglyceride, the AHA explains. Frequently, individuals with high LDL levels also have high triglyceride levels. If your triglyceride level falls below 150 mg/dL, this is considered normal. Triglyceride levels between 150 and 199 mg/dL fall in the borderline high category. If you have triglycerides between 200 and 499 mg/dL, your level is in the high category, while levels of 500 mg/dL or above are considered very high.
Total Blood Cholesterol
Doctors also estimate cholesterol risks with a total blood cholesterol test, which includes totals of LDL, HDL and triglycerides, the AHA notes. If you have a total blood cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL in combination with healthy individual amounts of LDL, HDL and triglycerides, you have minimal overall cholesterol risks. If you have a total blood cholesterol that falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you have borderline cholesterol risks, and your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications or medications to lower your bad cholesterol. If you have a total blood cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher, your risks for coronary heart disease effectively double. Consult your doctor for more information on achieving or maintaining a healthy cholesterol range.
