Especially as you get older, knowing your cholesterol levels and what they mean is an important component of maintaining your health. Cholesterol is a wax-like fatty substance in your blood. Your body relies on some cholesterol to efficiently function. However, an overabundance of the substance is a primary culprit in the development of atherosclerosis, or heart disease. You should have your cholesterol checked regularly if you are over 20 years old. If it has been a while since your last test, ask your doctor if it is time to have one.
Your Total Cholesterol Level
Your total cholesterol is a measurement of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. Laboratories measure your serum cholesterol and record it in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of your blood, or mg/dL. An ideal measurement of cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL. A borderline high measurement is 200 to 239 mg/dL. Your cholesterol is too high if it is 240 mg/dL or above. Your doctor may be concerned if your total cholesterol is over 200 mg/dL. He may therefore order a more in-depth profile, or lipid profile. This test gives your doctor a more comprehensive understanding of your cholesterol levels that will guide his treatment recommendations if intervention is necessary.
LDL: The Bad Cholesterol
Your doctor will pay particular attention to your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, measurement. He may mention "bad" cholesterol, which is one way to describe LDL. Responsible for transporting cholesterol and other fats to various areas of your body, LDL in undesirable amounts increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. LDL measurements are broken down more specifically than total cholesterol measurements. For example, an optimal LDL is less than 100 mg/dL, or lower -- around 70 mg/dL -- if you have additional risk factors for heart disease. A near-optimal LDL measurement is 100 to 129. An LDL of 130 to 159 is borderline high. A high LDL level is 160 to 189, and a very high level is a reading of 190 mg/dL or higher.
HDL: The Good Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is good cholesterol. It is responsible for removing excess cholesterol from your blood. Therefore, a high level of HDL directly correlates to a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease. The higher the number, the lower your risk. Conversely, a low HDL greatly increases your cardiovascular risk factors. Ideally, you want your HDL to be 60 mg/dL or higher. Anything lower than 40 mg/dL may warrant your doctor's intervention.
Your Triglyceride Level
As is the case with your total cholesterol level, your triglyceride level can provide a snapshot of your overall cardiovascular health. High levels of this type of fat in your blood is associated with a poor diet, unhealthy habits like cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol, obesity and simple inactivity. There are also underlying disorders associated with high triglyceride levels. A normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL. Your triglyceride level is borderline high if it is 150 to 199, high if it is 200 to 499 and very high if it is 500 mg/dL or higher. If your level falls into any category above normal, your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, as well as additional testing to rule out underlying conditions.
