Having the right amount of cholesterol in your body is essential for building cell membranes, creating bile acids and vitamin D and synthesizing the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Having high cholesterol, however, can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. It is vital to maintain the proper balance of cholesterol in your blood to ensure that cholesterol can perform its functions without causing adverse health effects.
LDL Cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol leads to the formation of plaque on the walls of your arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis causes the arteries to thicken and harden and impedes proper blood flow. Normal, or ideal, LDL cholesterol is defined as less than 100 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol levels between 100 and 129 mg/dL are considered near ideal. LDL cholesterol levels between 130 and 159 mg/dL are considered borderline high. When your LDL cholesterol levels reach 160 to 189 mg/dL, they are classified as high and levels that exceed 189 mg/dL are considered very high.
HDL Cholesterol
When referring to HDL cholesterol, it is actually ideal to have high numbers. HDL cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol from your arteries and brings it back to your liver for removal from the body. An HDL cholesterol level of 60 mg/dL or higher is considered protective against heart disease. If a man has an HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg/dL or below, it is considered low. A woman with an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL or below is also said to have low HDL cholesterol.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol represents the total amount of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and other lipids in your blood. A high total cholesterol level increases your risk of developing heart disease. Total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL is considered normal. When your total cholesterol level falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, it is classified as borderline high. Total cholesterol that exceeds 239 mg/dL is high.
Considerations
Triglycerides are another type of lipid that circulates throughout your body in your bloodstream. Although triglycerides are not a type of cholesterol, they are often measured along with cholesterol as a part of a blood screening called a lipid profile. Like high cholesterol, high triglycerides also increase your risk of heart disease. Triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL are considered normal. Triglycerides between 150 and 199 mg/dL are classified as borderline high and levels between 200 mg/dL and 499 mg/dL are high. When levels reach 500 mg/dL or higher, they are considered very high.
