Comparing cholesterol test results with a friend or coworker may not be especially helpful. Healthy numbers are relative. If you're young, physically fit and don't smoke, moderately elevated cholesterol levels may not adversely affect your health. If heart disease runs in your family, however, even slight elevations might signal trouble. It helps to understand your cholesterol numbers and what they mean. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Cholesterol Tests
A cholesterol test measures the number of milligrams of fat per deciliter of blood in your body. The results will reveal four figures: the amount of low-density lipoprotein, the amount of high-density lipoprotein, the amount of triglycerides and the amount of total cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein -- LDL -- often gets nicknamed "bad" cholesterol because it can form dangerous blockages in your arteries. Triglycerides can also create plaque on the walls of your arteries, making it difficult for blood to flow properly to vital organs such as your heart. High-density lipoprotein, HDL or "good" cholesterol, benefits heart health by removing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides from your body.
Healthy and Unhealthy Numbers
Your overall cholesterol level will ideally fall below 200 mg/dL. Anything between 200 mg and 239 mg/dL rates as borderline high and anything higher than 240 mg/dL is considered high. You want to keep your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides as low as possible. If you're at high risk for heart disease, aim to keep your LDL below 70 mg/dL. If you're healthy, aim to keep your LDL below 129 mg/dL. Target to achieve readings of 150mg/dL or lower for triglycerides. Triglyceride readings above 500 mg/dL rate very high. Keep your HDL cholesterol high. Aim to keep your HDL at 60 mg/dL or higher. A rating of 40 mg/dL is considered poor for men and, while for women, scores below 50 mg/dL may be cause for concern.
Risk Factors
You and a friend or family member may share similar readings for LDL cholesterol, but you can face differing risks of heart disease. The higher your risk of heart disease, the lower you should keep HDL cholesterol. If you're a man older than 45 or a woman older than 55, you're at higher risk. Smoking, high blood pressure, family history of heart disease and medical conditions, such as diabetes, also increase your risk. You face particularly high risk for heart disease if you've had a heart attack or stroke or have blockages in your neck, leg or arm arteries. If your HDL cholesterol is low or your triglycerides high, your doctor might also express particular concern about your HDL levels. So it may not prove helpful to compare your numbers to anyone else unless you share precisely the same history.
Ways to Improve Cholesterol
Changes in diet and lifestyle can help you bring all of your cholesterol readings to healthy levels. You can eat less red meat and more lean poultry and vegetable protein such as tofu and legumes. Choose nonfat or low-fat dairy over whole milk products. Replace unhealthy saturated fats, found in animal products and tropical oils, with healthier fats from in olive oil, nuts and fish. Keep your intake of trans fat, found in margarine and shortening, to a minimum. Exercise more, lose weight and consume less sugar. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
