When you go in for a cholesterol screening, your doctor will order blood tests that measure your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. Cholesterol screening often includes blood tests of triglycerides as well. Along with other risk factors, cholesterol and triglycerides levels can help determine your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or experiencing a heart attack or a stroke.
LDL Cholesterol
The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Ideal LDL cholesterol levels are below 100 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol levels between 100 and 129 mg/dL are considered near optimal. Once your LDL cholesterol reaches 130 to 159 mg/dL, it is considered borderline-high, and levels from 160 to 189 mg/dL are high. LDL levels that exceed 189 mg/dL are considered very high and put you at a significant risk of heart attack and stroke.
HDL Cholesterol
Unlike the other cholesterol numbers, higher levels of HDL cholesterol protect against heart disease. The goal for HDL cholesterol is numbers as high as possible. HDL levels of 60 mg/dL or higher are considered ideal. A woman with HDL levels of 50 mg/dL or lower and a man with HDL levels of 40 mg/dL or lower are considered at increased risk for heart disease.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol levels represent a combination of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and other lipids that circulate throughout your bloodstream. As your total cholesterol levels increase, so does your risk for heart disease. A desirable cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL. Numbers below this put you at a lower risk for coronary artery disease. Cholesterol levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline-high. Borderline-high cholesterol levels put you at a moderate risk of coronary artery disease. Cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL and higher are considered high and put you at a very high risk of developing coronary artery disease.
Triglycerides
Although triglycerides are not a form of cholesterol, they comprise another type of blood lipid measured to assess your risk of heart disease. Normal levels of triglycerides fall below 150 mg/dL. Triglyceride levels between 150 and 199 mg/dL are considered borderline-high, and levels between 200 and 499 mg/dL are high. Levels of 500 mg/dL and greater are classified as very high and put you at a very high risk of heart disease.
