A cholesterol test reveals four results: the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the amount of triglycerides and your total cholesterol. Cholesterol tests measure the amount of fat in milligrams per deciliter of blood. If your total cholesterol measures 200, it would read, 200 mg/dL. A simple formula helps you understand the computation of your cholesterol.
Calculations
To calculate your total cholesterol, you add the total of your LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. If your LDL measures 100 mg/dL and your HDL measures 50 mg/dL, your subtotal would equal 150 mg/dL. To this number, add 20 percent of your triglyceride total. If your triglycerides measure 100 mg/dL, you would add 20 to 150 for a total cholesterol score of 170 mg/dL.
Healthy Numbers
A healthy total cholesterol score equals less than 200 mg/dL. A score of 240 mg/dL or greater puts you at high risk of developing heart disease. Scores between 200 and 240 mg/dL indicate moderate to moderately high risk. Your individual scores also indicate your degree of heart health. LDL levels of 190 mg/dL put you at a high risk of heart attack or stroke. Healthy adults should keep their LDL below 130 mg/dL and persons whose medical history puts them at high risk of heart attack should keep their LDL cholesterol much lower -- below 70 mg/dL. You should also strive to keep your triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL and your HDL cholesterol levels above 60 mg/dL.
Ways to Lower Cholesterol
Changes in your diet and lifestyle can help you improve your total cholesterol scores and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. You can lower your LDL, also known as the "bad" cholesterol, and your triglycerides, another artery-clogging fat, by reducing the amount of saturated fat and trans fat in your diet. Animal products and tropical plants, such as coconut and palm, contain saturated fat. You can reduce saturated fat by choosing lean meat and low-fat dairy, and by including more fish and vegetable protein in your diet. You can reduce trans fat by replacing margarine and shortening with healthier oils, such as olive and canola, and by avoiding commercial baked goods such as packaged cookies.
Considerations
Other changes you can make include reducing the amount of sugar in your diet and losing weight. Increasing your level of physical activity can help elevate your HDL cholesterol. This "good" cholesterol helps your body dispel LDL cholesterol and triglycerides from your system. Smoking damages the walls of your arteries, making it easier for LDL cholesterol and triglycerides to get trapped in your bloodstream. If you smoke, quitting can help protect you against heart attacks and strokes.
