Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It is derived of two numbers added together: low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the bad cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is the good cholesterol. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dl.
LDL Levels
The American Heart Association recommends LDL levels of less than 100 mg/dl. 100-129 mg/dl is above optimal, 130-159 mg/dl is borderline high, 160-189 mg/dl is high and above 190 mg/dl is very high.
HDL Levels
HDL levels should be no less than 40 mg/dl in men and no less than 50 mg/dl in women. Above 60 mg/dl is considered protective against heart disease.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl is optimal, 200-239 mg/dl is borderline high and above 240 mg/dl is very high. According to the American Heart Association, high total cholesterol doubles the risk of heart disease which, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the nation's leading cause of death.
Total Cholesterol to HDL Ratio
Because HDL reduces the risk of heart disease, the ratio of total cholesterol is also taken into consideration. A ratio of five to one total cholesterol to HDL is the highest ratio recommended, while a 3.5 to one is the optimal ratio.
Triglyceride
The final piece of the cholesterol puzzle is the triglyceride level. Triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels tend to go hand in hand because both are related to fat consumption. A measurement of less than 150 mg/dl is normal, 150-199 mg/dl is borderline high, 200-499 mg/dl is high and above 500 mg/dl is very high.
