Maintaining good cholesterol levels is a key component of living a heart-healthy lifestyle, says the American Heart Association, but many people don't fully understand what good cholesterol levels are. There are different types of cholesterol and having too much of one type or not enough of the other can lead to coronary heart disease or stroke. Knowing what your cholesterol numbers mean can help you manage your cholesterol levels.
Types
Your body needs cholesterol, a type of fat, to function properly. Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood, so special carriers called lipoproteins travel in the bloodstream and transport cholesterol to cells. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol---often called "bad cholesterol"---can build up in the walls of the arteries, causing them to become clogged and narrow. Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)---the "good cholesterol"---helps protect against heart disease because it carries harmful cholesterol away from the arteries. The more HDL cholesterol you have in your blood, the less your risk of heart disease.
Considerations
Your blood test report will express your cholesterol levels in units called milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Lower numbers are best for LDL levels. Higher numbers are best for HDL levels.
Total Cholesterol Levels
A total cholesterol level of less than 200mg/dL is good, according to the American Heart Association. A level in the range 200 to 239 mg/dL is borderline high risk for heart disease and 240 mg/dL or higher is high risk. Persons who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as those whose total cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL. If your total cholesterol level is above 200 mg/dL, your doctor will assess your levels of LDL and HDL.
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Your LDL cholesterol level is a better indicator of your risk for heart attack and stroke than your total cholesterol level. LDL levels less than 100 mg/dL are best, and a level in the 100 to 129 mg/dL range is good. A level from 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high, and 160 to 189 mg/dL is high. An LDL level of 190 mg/dL and above is very high.
HDL Levels
For men, average HDL levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. Average HDL levels for women range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. An HDL level less than 40 mg/dL is high risk for men, and less than 50 mg/dL is high risk for women.
Prevention/Solution
Making healthy lifestyle choices is the best way to maintain good cholesterol levels, says the Mayo Clinic. Eat a diet low in saturated fat, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, peas and beans, low-fat milk products, fish and lean meats and poultry without skin. Get regular exercise, lose weight if you need to, avoid tobacco smoke and limit your intake of trans fats and dietary cholesterol. Take medications, if necessary, as prescribed by your doctor.
