Produced naturally by your body, cholesterol is a fat-like substance that resembles wax. Though small amounts of cholesterol are required for your body to function efficiently, unusually large amounts of cholesterol can get stuck along the inside of the walls of your arteries. This fatty buildup, referred to as plaque -- can interfere with the proper flow of blood through your body, increasing your risk of developing heart disease. Adults age 20 and older should get their cholesterol checked by a medical professional once every five years.
Total Cholesterol
A total cholesterol reading represents how much cholesterol -- including HDL, high-density lipoprotein, LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, and VLDL, or very low-density lipoprotein -- is in your blood. Health professionals with the American Heart Association recommend maintaining a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL. A total cholesterol level in excess of 200 mg/dL, particularly if your reading exceeds 240 mg/dL, means you are at an increased risk of developing heart disease.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is the so-called "good" cholesterol. Unlike total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, a high HDL cholesterol reading is a good thing. Both men and women should have an HDL cholesterol reading of at least 60 mg/dL or higher. High HDL levels are considered beneficial, as this form of cholesterol may help protect your heart against disease. Men with HDL cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL or less and women with HDL cholesterol levels of 50 mg/dL or less may be more likely to develop heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
Optimally, healthy adults should keep their LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL. If you already have heart disease or have had a heart attack, you should aim to lower your LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL. An LDL cholesterol reading in excess of 130 mg/dL may indicate that you're more likely to develop heart-related health problems.
Triglycerides
Your triglyceride reading tells your doctor how much fat is in your blood. Normally, adults should maintain a triglyceride level of less than 150 mg/dL. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher may occur in people who are physically inactive, who smoke cigarettes, who consume a high-carbohydrate diet or who are overweight. If one or both of your parents have high triglyceride levels, you may be at an increased risk of having elevated triglyceride levels as well -- even if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight.
