A fasting blood test to determine cholesterol levels is called a lipid profile or lipid panel. When cholesterol is tested, four types are reported: LDL, or bad cholesterol; HDL, or good cholesterol; triglycerides; and total cholesterol. In the United States, cholesterol is measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. Keeping your cholesterol levels in a healthy range is important, especially if you are at risk for heart disease or stroke.
LDL, or Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance in your blood that is necessary for cell metabolism. Because cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood, other substances are needed to carry it through your bloodstream to your cells. These carriers are known as lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein carries fats to your cells. If LDL is too high, it collects on your artery walls as plaque and may block blood flow, which can lead to atherosclerosis. If a clot forms, it may cause a stroke or heart attack. A healthy fasting LDL level is less than 200 mg/dL; borderline is 200 to 239 mg/dL; and high is 240 mg/dL or more.
HDL, or Good Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL, also called good cholesterol, removes excess fats from your system and slows the growth of plaques that may block your arteries. Excess fats are carried from your cells to your liver by HDL for elimination from the body. The higher your HDL levels, the better. HDL levels of 60 mg/dL or higher are excellent. Levels in the range of 50 to 59 mg/dL are considered good. For women, levels 50 below mg/dL are considered poor; for men, levels below 40 mg/dL are considered poor.
Triglycerides
Levels of triglycerides, another type of fat, increase with intake of excess sweets, carbohydrates or alcohol. Triglycerides are needed for energy metabolism, but it is not unusual to see low HDL levels, high overall cholesterol levels and high LDL levels with high triglyceride levels. Triglyceride values less than 150 mg/dL are ideal. Values between 150 and 199 mg/dL are borderline, and values 200 mg/dL and above are considered high.
Lp(a) Cholesterol
Lipoprotein-a, or Lp(a), is a genetic variation of LDL cholesterol. Although not completely understood, high Lp(a) appears to be a risk factor for the premature formation of arterial fat deposits, according to the American Heart Association. This may lead to atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack. The risk with elevated Lp(a) is similar to that with elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. A normal reading for Lp(a) is 30 mg/dL or less.
