Cholesterol is a wax-like lipid that circulates throughout your body in your bloodstream. Cholesterol acts as a precursor to various hormones and contributes to some of the structures in your cells. Having some cholesterol in your body is vital for proper health. It is important for a man to keep cholesterol numbers within healthy ranges, however, because high cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease.
Cholesterol Screening
Cholesterol is tested as a part of a blood test called a lipid profile. A lipid profile includes values for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In order to get accurate cholesterol readings, a man going in for a cholesterol screening should fast for nine to 12 hours prior to his testing. Water is the only substance that is permitted during the period of fasting.
Total Cholesterol
Desirable total cholesterol levels fall below 200 mg/dL of blood. If a man's cholesterol levels are less than 200 mg/dL, he is considered at a low risk for heart disease. When levels rise between 200 and 239 mg/dL, a man's risk for heart disease increases to borderline high. Cholesterol levels 240 mg/dL and higher put a man at high risk for heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that many people refer to as bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol contributes to the development of plaque on the walls of the arteries, a medical condition referred to as atherosclerosis. According to the American Heart Association, the lower a man's LDL cholesterol levels, the lower his risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL are considered optimal, although levels between 100 and 129 mg/dL are classified as near optimal. When levels climb to 130 mg/dL or higher, they are considered high.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as good cholesterol. Unlike total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, high HDL cholesterol is considered to be protective against heart disease. An HDL cholesterol level of 60 mg/dL or higher is considered ideal. Men who have an HDL cholesterol level less than 40 mg/dL are considered to be at an increased risk for heart disease.
Triglycerides
Although triglycerides are not technically considered to be cholesterol, they are tested as part of a cholesterol screening and are thus worth mentioning. Triglycerides are another form of fat that circulates in your bloodstream and like cholesterol, high numbers contribute to heart disease. Ideal triglyceride levels fall below 150 mg/dL.
