Guidelines endorsed by the American Heart Association suggest that adults over the age of 20 have their cholesterol levels checked every five years. The association also offers parameters within which healthy cholesterol levels fall. Although the guidelines are universal for people over 20 years old, parameters for HDL and LDL cholesterol levels do differ with regard to gender and personal risk factors.
Good Cholesterol
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is also called good cholesterol. It provides a protective factor against the development of heart disease. The higher your HDL level -- ideally 60 mg/dL or greater -- the more protected you are. According to the American Heart Association, a 48-year-old male whose HDL levels are less than 40 mg/dL carries a significant risk factor for the development of heart disease.
Bad Cholesterol
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, shares a converse relationship with HDL. The lower your level of LDL, or bad cholesterol, the lower your risk is of developing heart disease. Parameters for LDL differ depending on personal risk factors. For example, if you are a male at exceptionally high risk for heart disease, you want your LDL cholesterol to be below 70 mg/dL. If you are at higher than average risk for heart-related diseases, below 100 mg/dL is ideal for you. Otherwise, if your risk factors are average, you should aim for an LDL between 100 and 129 mg/dL or lower. An LDL level of 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high. Levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL are high, and those 190 mg/dL and above are considered very high.
Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Guidelines for healthy total cholesterol and triglyceride levels are universal. An ideal total cholesterol level is one below 200 mg/dL. Levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are borderline high. At 240 mg/dL or higher, total cholesterol is high.
Healthy normal triglyceride levels are those less than 150 mg/dL. A triglyceride level between 150 and 199 mg/dL is borderline high, and a level between 200 and 499 mg/dL is high. Your doctor considers a triglyceride level of 500 mg/dL or above to be very high.
The Breakdown
Optimally, a 48-year-old male should have a total cholesterol lower than 200 mg/dL. To break that down further, good or HDL cholesterol should be greater than 40 mg/dL, and ideally above 60 mg/dL. The lower the LDL, the better. This level should be between 100 and 129 mg/dL, and even lower if you have other risk factors for heart disease. And finally, a triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL is normal and optimal.
