Cholesterol tests measure the number of milligrams -- mg -- of fat per deciliter -- dl -- of blood in your body. Ideally, your total cholesterol measures below 200 mg/dl. This number puts you at low risk of heart disease. The higher your number, the higher your risk. Any total cholesterol reading above 240 mg/dl means your risk of heart attack or stroke is high. Numbers between 200 mg/dl and 240 mg/dl represent borderline risk.
Three Types of Fat
A cholesterol test reveals the total amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream and specifics about three types of fat that affect your heart health. Low-density lipoprotein, sometimes referred to as LDL cholesterol or simply "bad" cholesterol, can form plaque in your arteries; so can triglycerides, another type of fat in your blood measured in a cholesterol test. Your results will also reveal the amount of high-density lipoprotein -- HDL -- in your blood. HDL is the "good" cholesterol that can help your body remove unhealthy LDL and triglycerides.
LDL Cholesterol
A cholesterol test reveals the amount of LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. If you've had a heart attack or stroke, or if you've been diagnosed with blockages in your neck, leg or arm arteries, you should keep your LDL below 70 mg/dl. You should also keep your LDL in this range if you present two or more risks of cardiovascular disease. Risks factors include diabetes, obesity, smoking and family history of heart disease. Your risk of heart disease also increases as you get older. A healthy LDL reading for persons without additional risks for heart disease measures below 129 mg/dl. A reading above 190 mg/dl could prove dangerous, even if no other risk factors exist.
Triglyceride
A healthy triglyceride reading falls below 150 mg/dl. You're at borderline risk for heart disease if your triglycerides rise above 150 mg/dl and at high risk if they measure more than 200 mg/dl. A score of 500 mg/dl or more puts you at very high risk. You can help lower both your LDL and triglycerides by limiting the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet. You should mostly exclude eggs and organ meats and limit fatty red meat. You can also lower your triglycerides by limiting the amount of sugar and trans fat in your diet. Margarine, shortening and many commercial baked goods contain trans fat.
HDL Cholesterol
The higher your level of HDL cholesterol, the better. A good HDL reading measures above 50 mg/dl and anything higher than 60 mg/dl is ideal. Readings below 50 mg/dl signal potential trouble for women. For men, the worrisome number is 40 mg/dl. Attaining a healthy weight can raise your HDL levels. Getting more exercise also helps. Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol -- one drink per day for women and men older than 50 and two drinks for younger men -- may also help.
