Your cholesterol levels can tilt the scale of your health either way: good or bad. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. Three major cholesterol types are usually tested: LDL, HDL and total cholesterol. In the United States, levels of these substances in the body are measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, written as mg/dL.
LDL
LDL cholesterol is also called bad cholesterol. Normal levels could range from 100 to 129 mg/dL of blood. A level of 130 to 159 mg/dL is considered borderline high and 160 to 189 mg/dL is deemed high. Any measurement above 190 mg/dL is very high and carries the greatest health risk. If you are at high risk for heart disease, you should aim for an LDL level less than 100 mg/dL or even lower if you are at a higher risk. Your doctor can determine your level of risk. A chronically high LDL level is bad for the heart, brain and blood vessels.
HDL
HDL cholesterol is also called good cholesterol because it reduces cholesterol levels in your bloodstream and the health risks associated with high LDL levels. The higher the HDL levels, the better. Any number above 60 mg/dL is considered optimal. Levels between 50 and 59 mg/dL are considered borderline. HDL levels of less than 40 and 50 for men and women respectively are considered low and present increased health risks such as a heart attack or a stroke.
Total Cholesterol
Your total cholesterol level measures the total amount of both good and bad cholesterol and other substances that contain cholesterol in the body. Higher levels increase the risk of plaque buildup within blood vessels and the development of atherosclerosis and its complications. Excess cholesterol may also cause gallstones. Total cholesterol readings below 200 mg/dL and above 240 mg/dL are considered desirable and high respectively. Measurements between those are considered borderline high.
Lipid Profile
Men over 35 and women over 45 years should be tested for lipid disorders. People who are unusually at risk for heart disease should start testing after they turn 20. Apart from LDL, HDL and total cholesterol, levels of triglycerides and VLDL, or very low-density lipoproteins, may also be checked. A total cholesterol to HDL ratio is useful in predicting the risk for atherosclerosis. A ratio of less than 4:1 is most ideal.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cholesterol Screening and Control
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for Lipid Disorders in Adults
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Early Detection of High Cholesterol Levels in Young Adults; Scott. M.Grundy, MD MPH; 2000
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol; June 17, 2010
