Total Cholesterol Level
Less than 200 mg/dL: Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for coronary heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher raises your risk.
200 to 239 mg/dL: Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above: High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.
HDL Cholesterol Level
Less than 40 mg/dL(for men) or Less than 50 mg/dL
(for women): Low HDL cholesterol. A major risk factor for heart disease.
60 mg/dL and above High HDL cholesterol: An HDL of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease.
If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more, or your HDL cholesterol is less than 40 mg/dL (for men) and less than 50 mg/dL (for women), you need to have a lipoprotein profile done to determine your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
1>. LDL Cholesterol Level
Less than 100 mg/dL: Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL: Near or above optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL: Borderline high
160 to 189 mg/dL: High
190 mg/dL and above: Very high
Your LDL cholesterol goal depends on how many other risk factors you have.†
If you don't have coronary heart disease or diabetes and have one or no risk factors, your LDL goal is less than 160 mg/dL.
If you don't have coronary heart disease or diabetes and have two or more risk factors, your LDL goal is less than 130 mg/dL.
If you do have coronary heart disease or diabetes, your LDL goal is less than 100 mg/dL.
2>. Triglyceride Level
Less than 150 mg/dL: Normal
150-199 mg/dL: Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL: High
500 mg/dL and above: Very high
Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. Many people who have heart disease or diabetes have high triglyceride levels. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol seems to speed up atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls). Atherosclerosis increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.
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