High cholesterol levels can contribute to heart disease, one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Keeping your cholesterol levels in a healthy range is important. Different types of cholesterol exist, therefore, high cholesterol ranges vary and have been established for total, "good" and "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Background
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that can accumulate in your arteries and lead to blockages. Triglycerides are a type of fat that may also accumulate in the blood and can cause the same negative effects in your arteries as high blood cholesterol. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are usually measured together to help determine your disease risk.
Total Cholesterol
Total blood cholesterol levels should remain under 200 mg/dL for optimal health and reduced disease risk. Total cholesterol is considered borderline high if it's 200 to 239 mg/dL, and high if it's 240 mg/dL or above, according to the American Heart Association. Lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help reduce total cholesterol levels without cholesterol-lowering medications. Reducing your saturated fat, trans fat and dietary cholesterol intake is a good place to start.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol is considered the bad cholesterol and can increases heart disease risk. Optimal levels for LDL cholesterol are below 100 mg/dL. According to the American Heart Association, LDL levels 100 to 129 mg/dL are near or above optimal, levels 130 to 159 mg/dL are borderline high, levels of 160 to 189 mg/dL are classified as high and LDL levels of 190 mg/dL or above are considered very high. In addition to reducing your saturated and trans fat intake, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourages an increase in dietary soluble fiber and plant sterols or stanols to help lower LDL cholesterol levels. If you're overweight, weight loss can also help reduce LDL cholesterol.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol is considered the good cholesterol and provides some protection against heart disease when recommended levels are achieved. According to the American Heart Association, optimal levels for HDL cholesterol are 60 mg/dL or above. Exercising regularly can help increase your HDL levels.
Triglycerides
Triglyceride levels also affect your risk for heart disease. Optimal levels for triglycerides are less than 150 mg/dL. Triglyceride levels of 150 to 199 mg/dL are considered borderline high, levels of 200 to 499 mg/dL are high and levels 500 mg/dL and above are classified as very high, according to the American Heart Association. Losing weight if you're overweight and exercising regularly can help reduce high blood triglyceride levels. Smoking, drinking too much and eating a high-carbohydrate diet of 60 percent of your daily calories, or more, have been shown to increase triglyceride levels, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
