Excessive cholesterol in your body directly contributes to your risk for serious health problems, such as congestive heart failure, heart attack and stroke. This is why it pays to know just how much cholesterol is too much. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter, and a normal cholesterol test measures the levels of four substances -- low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol -- which make up what is known as a lipid profile.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoproteins, also known as LDL, are usually called "bad" cholesterol. When you have too much LDL in your bloodstream, it builds up on the interior of your artery walls. This substance, known as plaque, can cause partial or total obstruction of your major blood vessels, and this can lead to either a stroke or a heart attack. Numbers below 100 mg/dL are considered the optimal level for LDL, although a range of 100 to 129 mg/dL is still acceptable. LDL levels between 130 and 150 mg/dL are borderline high, while those between 160 and 189 mg/dL are high. Values above 190 mg/dL are a serious cause for concern.
If you're at high risk for heart disease, you have an even lower LDL target -- no higher than 70 mg/dL. If you have had a previous stroke or artery blockages in your neck, arms or legs, you are in the high-risk group.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoproteins or HDL are the opposite of LDL -- it is in your interest to get as high a level as possible. HDL is known as the "good" kind of cholesterol since it is responsible for absorbing and transporting excess LDL from your system to the liver, where it can be disposed of safely. A level of 60 mg/dL is considered the minimum level that offers protection against heart disease. If you have HDL below 40 mg/dL, this indicates a greatly elevated risk for heart problems.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol refers to the combined amount of HDL, LDL and other lipids in the blood. The optimal level for total cholesterol is any value below 200 mg/dL, while a result between 200 and 239 mg/dL is borderline high. If your total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL and above, your likelihood of getting coronary heart disease is more than twice that of someone in the normal range, the American Heart Association reports.
Triglycerides
The fat in your body, as well as in the food you eat, is typically found in the form of triglycerides. In association with cholesterol in your blood plasma, they make up the plasma lipids. When your body does not immediately consume calories, they are turned into lipids and stored in body fat as energy reserves. However, very high levels of trigylcerides are linked to increased risk for heart disease, even more so if this is coupled with high cholesterol. The normal level for triglycerides is below 150 mg/dL; 150 to 199 mg/dL is borderline high; while 200 to 499 mg/dL is high. If your triglycerides are over 500 mg/dL, your doctor will help formulate a plan to reduce your triglyceride level as quickly as possible.
