Health e-Actions: Understanding Cholesterol Levels

September 14, 2011

Understanding Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol levels can be confusing; what should be high, what should be low, and what's just right?

To understand your numbers, it helps to know a little about this waxy, fat-like substance that's found in every cell in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs.

However, when you eat foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, your body can make too much cholesterol. Over time, this extra cholesterol can clog your arteries and increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

What are LDL and HDL?
Cholesterol is carried through your bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins. Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol through your body: low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins.

Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol is "bad" cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol to tissues, including your arteries. The higher the LDL level in your blood, the greater the chance you will get heart disease. Remember: The L in LDL is for Lousy, and the Lower it is, the better.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol is "good” cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver for removal from your body. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the lower your chance of getting heart disease. Remember: The H in HDL is for Healthy, and the Higher it is, the better.

Learn more about cholesterol.

What are good cholesterol numbers?
High blood cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so it's important to get your levels checked with a routine blood test, called a lipid or lipoprotein profile. Your health care provider will ask you to fast (not eat or drink anything but water) for 9 to 12 hours before the test. The test measures your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, another form of fat in your blood. (Your doctor will tell you your cholesterol numbers in “mg/dL”; cholesterol is measured as milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.)

If you're 20 years old or older, have your cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. If you have elevated cholesterol, and as you get older, you'll need to get it checked more often. Talk with your health care provider about how often you should be tested.

LDL Cholesterol Level	LDL Cholesterol Category
Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
100–129 mg/dL	Near optimal/above optimal
130–159 mg/dL	Borderline high
160–189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very high

HDL Cholesterol Level	HDL Cholesterol Category
Less than 40 mg/dL	A major risk factor for heart disease
40–59 mg/dL	The higher, the better
60 mg/dL and above	Considered protective against heart disease

Total Cholesterol Level	Total Cholesterol Category
Less than 200 mg/dL	Desirable
200–239 mg/dL	Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above	High

High blood cholesterol is treated with lifestyle changes (such as a healthy diet and increased physical activity) and medicines. The main goal of treatment is to lower your LDL cholesterol level enough to reduce your risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack, and related health problems.

Learn more about how high blood cholesterol is treated.

Julie's Story

"I've always considered myself to be a very healthy person. I exercise regularly, I don't smoke, and I'm not overweight. So when I found out 6 months ago that I have high cholesterol, it came as a surprise. After my doctor's appointment, I wanted to learn as much as I could about high cholesterol. I started doing research and reading everything I could get my hands on. I learned that my high cholesterol put me at risk for heart disease. . . .

“The main difference has been my diet. I'm making an effort to avoid foods with lots of saturated fat and cholesterol. I am eating less red meat and more fish. I know that my daily walks are important. I am more conscious about my health, which is something I used to take for granted.

“I'm really trying to take care of myself and my family. My husband found out that he has high cholesterol too, so we're both trying to make changes in our lives. It helps having each other there for support."