The American Heart Association recommends a fasting lipoprotein profile, or lipid panel, every five years beginning at age 20, and more frequent tests for men over 45, women over 50 and many people with heart disease risk factors. This simple blood test measures total blood cholesterol, as well as two or more subtypes of cholesterol and related substances. In the United States, each measurement is given in terms of milligrams of a substance per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL, and clear parameters define which measurements are considered generally healthy, unhealthy or borderline.
Total Cholesterol
According to the Mayo Clinic, total blood cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL are considered healthy. Levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high, and a level of 240 mg/dL or greater is high. While knowing your overall cholesterol level is important, a great deal depends on the amounts of various subtypes of cholesterol that contribute to that overall measurement. A detailed breakdown of these components can provide a clearer picture of your overall health and risk of coronary health issues.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, is known as "bad" cholesterol, because it contributes significantly to the risk of heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, an LDL cholesterol level of 130 mg/dL or lower is considered healthy, although people with a high or very high risk of heart disease should aim for levels below 100 or 70 mg/dL, respectively. A level of 130 to 159 mg/dL is considered borderline high, 160 to 189 mg/dL is high and 190 mg/dL or greater is very high.
HDL Cholesterol
Your total cholesterol level also includes so-called "good" cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol. For HDL cholesterol, which helps to reduce arterial clogging, higher levels are better. The Mayo Clinic lists a level of 60 mg/dL or higher as ideal, although 50 mg/dL or greater is still good. Men who have a level below 40 mg/dL and women with fewer than 50 mg/dL have poor HDL cholesterol levels.
Triglycerides
Most cholesterol tests also measure blood triglycerides, a kind of fat related to cholesterol and used by the body to store excess calories for energy. Like LDL cholesterol, triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease, and lower levels are better. The Mayo Clinic recommends a triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL and considers 150 to 199 mg/dL borderline high. A level of 200 to 499 mg/dL is considered high, and 500 mg/dL or greater is very high.
VLDL Cholesterol
According to the Johns Hopkins Health Alerts site, LDL cholesterol alone does not provide an accurate gauge of heart disease risk. To address this issue, many cholesterol tests list the amount of very low-density lipoproteins, or VLDL cholesterol, while others may calculate the amount of non-HDL cholesterol. VLDL cholesterol is significant, because it carries triglcyerides in the bloodstream. The federal Medline Plus website recommends a VLDL cholesterol level of 2 to 38 mg/dL, while the Mayo Clinic considers 2 to 40 mg/dL normal.
Individual Variation
According to the American Heart Association, individual cholesterol parameters can vary from general guidelines based on a number of factors. For example, your age, blood pressure, family history of heart disease and lifestyle factors such as smoking and activity level can affect the specific cholesterol parameters that are considered healthy, borderline and high for you. Always consult a personal physician to analyze your cholesterol test results and discuss what the results mean for your health.
