Your doctor can check your cholesterol levels by ordering a lipid profile. This blood test measures your total, good and bad cholesterol levels, as well as your triglycerides. Some cholesterol is better for you than others. LDL cholesterol and triglycerides can be detrimental to your health if the levels are too high in your blood. HDL cholesterol is beneficial for your body and should be present in high amounts. Have your lipid profile checked every five years or more often if you have or are at risk for heart disease.
Total Cholesterol
The first number you should pay attention to is your total cholesterol level. Ideally, your total cholesterol should fall below 200 mg/dl for optimal health, suggests MayoClinic.com. As your level increases above 200 mg/dl, your risk of heart disease also increases. Total cholesterol above 240 mg/dl puts you at the greatest risk for atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and other conditions that lead to heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, is the "bad" cholesterol that causes problems in your body and damages your heart. Your LDL cholesterol should fall below 100 mg/dL. Anything above that level increases your risk for heart disease. According to the University of Maryland, LDL cholesterol is considered "bad" because it deposits cholesterol in the wall of your arteries, causing hardening known as atherosclerosis. When the arteries become hardened, blood has a hard time flowing through, which increases your risk for clots, stroke or possibly a heart attack.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are not a type of cholesterol, but they are measured in the lipid profile alongside cholesterol. This type of fat can also increase your risk for heart disease. Normal triglycerides should be below 150 mg/dl, says MayoClinic.com. Triglyceride levels up to 200 mg/dl are borderline high, and the higher the number above 200 mg/dl, the more you are at risk for damage to your heart.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, is the "good" cholesterol that benefits your body. You want a high level of HDL cholesterol because it helps rid the body of harmful LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol roams through your body, picks up the "bad" LDL cholesterol and transports it to the liver. LDL cholesterol is broken down in the liver and excreted. For optimal heart health, aim for an HDL level above 60 mg/dl. Having a level below 50 mg/dl increases your risk of damage to the heart, since this can cause your LDL levels to be too high.
