A cholesterol test measures two types of cholesterol in your bloodstream--low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. LDL, also known as the "bad" cholesterol, can accumulate in your arteries and increase your risk of developing heart disease. HDL, nicknamed the "good" cholesterol, protects you from heart attacks and strokes by helping your body clean out accumulated fat deposits in your bloodstream. The balance between HDL and LDL cholesterol, as well as your total cholesterol count, affects your heart health. A third type of fat, triglycerides, also plays an important role.
Dangerous Cholesterol Levels
Your total cholesterol levels move into the dangerous zone when they measure more than 240 mg/dl. Scores below 200 mg/dl mean you face a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Your risk increases the higher above 200 mg/dl your total cholesterol rises. You should also consider your individual test results -- the measure of HDL, LDL and triglycerides -- as well as your lifestyle, genetics and family history. If, for instance, your LDL measures high, this could prove dangerous even if your HDL and triglycerides fall within normal ranges.
Dangerous LDL Cholesterol
You should consider your LDL measurement and your personal circumstances when evaluating the danger level of your total cholesterol score. A score higher than 190 mg/dl for LDL poses potential danger for all adults. But scores as low as 70 mg/dl could spell trouble for anyone who's already had a heart attack or stroke. For most people, a score below 129 mg/dl puts them in a safe range. Strive for the lower range of LDL and low total cholesterol scores if two or more of these conditions apply to you: you're older than 50, have diabetes, have a family history of heart disease, are overweight or smoke.
Triglycerides and HDL Cholesterol
If you want to improve heart health, also consider two other results from your cholesterol test. Triglycerides act similarly to LDL cholesterol in your blood stream and pose a very high risk of heart disease if they measure higher than 500 mg/dl. Scores below 150 mg/dl present the lowest risk. The only type of blood fat you wish to elevate is HDL. Numbers above 60 mg/dl help protect you. Women whose numbers fall below 50 mg/dl face increased risk of heart disease, as do men whose scores drop below 40 mg/dl.
Improve Cholesterol Scores
Your diet may help you improve your individual and total cholesterol scores. Avoid high-cholesterol foods such as eggs, shrimp and organ meats, and obtain more of your protein from plant sources such as black beans, lima beans and vegetarian baked beans. Add healthy oils -- olive oil, nuts, seeds and fatty fish -- to your diet but keep overall fall consumption to between 20 and 35 percent of your daily calories. Eat more soluble fiber found in foods such as oatmeal and apples and cut down on your intake of sugar, saturated fat and trans fat.
