The American Heart Association states that high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. You can have high cholesterol and not show any signs for symptoms, so having your cholesterol tested is important. A lipid panel is a blood test that will show your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and your triglyceride levels. Lipid panels are more accurate if you have fasted nine to 12 hours before the test. Your cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL.
Total Cholesterol
According to the American Heart Association, total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. Total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL are desirable and put you at lower risk for coronary heart disease. Levels from 200 to 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high. Total blood cholesterol levels over 240 mg/dL are high, and double your risk of coronary heart disease.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is the good cholesterol in your body. Low HDL levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. The American Heart Association classifies low HDL levels as being less than 40 mg/dL for men, and less than 50 mg/dL for women. High levels of HDL are 60 mg/dL or more. High HDL levels are considered protective against heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is the bad cholesterol. Optimal levels of LDL cholesterol are below 100 mg/dL. Levels in the range of 100 to 129 mg/dL are considered near optimal. Borderline high levels are 130 to 159 mg/dL. High LDL levels are from 160 to 189 mg/dL. Above 190 mg/dL is considered very high LDL levels. Your LDL target number depends on your underlying risk of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
