High cholesterol is one of the most significant controllable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The higher your cholesterol gets, the more likely you are to experience heart problems. In order to decrease your risk of heart disease, it is important to keep your cholesterol levels within healthy ranges.
Lipid Profile
Cholesterol testing is performed as part of a lipid profile. Cholesterol screenings provide values for total cholesterol and the different types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. When you get your cholesterol level tested, it is important to fast for nine to 12 hours before the test to ensure an accurate reading. Cholesterol screenings are generally recommended for adults at least every five years.
Total Cholesterol
The ideal level for total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL. When your total cholesterol level falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, it is considered borderline high. Total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and above is considered high and puts you at a moderate risk of developing heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Some LDL cholesterol is needed to help your cells form their structures and to allow the body to synthesize bile acids, vitamin D and the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. But excess amounts of LDL cholesterol may be deposited on the walls of your arteries where they form a hard plaque, contributing to atherosclerosis and increasing your risk of heart disease.
If you have existing heart disease, the healthiest level for your LDL cholesterol is 70 mg/dL or lower. Generally healthy adults should aim to keep their LDL cholesterol at 100 mg/dL or lower. LDL cholesterol levels between 100 and 129 mg/dL are considered near optimal. When your LDL cholesterol level reaches 130 to 159, it is considered borderline high and levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL are considered high. LDL cholesterol of 190 mg/dL and higher are considered very high and a major risk factor for heart disease.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that people often call "good" cholesterol. HDL cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol in your blood and brings it to the liver so that it can be removed from your body. Because HDL cholesterol promotes cholesterol removal, high numbers are best.
If your HDL cholesterol level measures at 60 mg/dL or higher, it is considered protective against heart disease. If a man's HDL cholesterol falls below 40 mg/dL or woman's HDL cholesterol falls below 50 mg/dL, it is considered poor.
