The level of cholesterol in your bloodstream is an important indicator of your risk for heart disease and stroke. Lab tests typically report cholesterol levels as three different components: total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein. For optimal health, focus on keeping your total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL, your LDL below 100 mg/dL and your HDL level above 50 mg/dL if you are a women or above 40 mg/dL if you are a man.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is the sum of all the other cholesterol components. According to the American Heart Association, optimal total cholesterol levels are below 200 mg/dL, borderline high levels are between 200 and 239 mg/dL and total cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL are high. The American Heart Association reports that a total cholesterol level higher than 240 mg/dL puts you at twice the risk for heart disease compared to someone with a TC level of 200 mg/dL or less.
Low Density Lipoprotein
LDL is a protein that carries the majority of cholesterol in your blood and is commonly referred to as the bad cholesterol. According to a 2002 report from the National Cholesterol Education Program, LDL is the primary cholesterol carrying compound implicated in the development of heart disease. Aim to keep your LDL level below 100 mg/dL. If you have been diagnosed with heart disease and are deemed to be at very high risk, your doctor may even advocate to lower your LDL level below 70 mg/dL.
High Density Lipoprotein
Unlike LDL, you want to have high levels of HDL in your bloodstream. HDL protects your heart by removing cholesterol from your body and a high HDL level significantly lowers your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that women should keep their HDL levels above 50 mg/dL and men should keep their HDL levels above 40 mg/dL. For optimal health, aim to keep your HDL levels above 60 mg/dL regardless of your sex.
Factors Influencing Cholesterol Level Tests
According to MedlinePlus.com, a number of factors can influence a cholesterol test. Measures of LDL are influenced by what you eat in the short term so it is important to fast for at least nine to 12 hours prior to the test. Certain diseases and conditions can change your cholesterol levels. For example, hypothyroidism can raise your total cholesterol and liver disease may lower your total cholesterol. Finally, any recent illness, even a flare-up of arthritis, can skew your cholesterol levels up or down. Ask your doctor about any factors that may have affected your cholesterol readings when reviewing your results.
References
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) Final Report
- Circulation: Implications of Recent Clinical Trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines
- MedlinePlus: Cholesterol Test
