Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol numbers often include the levels for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. What is considered a normal level for these different types of cholesterol varies. For example, a total cholesterol level under 200 mg/dL is ideal, whereas an LDL of below 100 mg/dL is considered optimal.

 

Understanding the Different Levels of Cholesterol

A number of different cholesterol tests are available today, and each can be slightly different in what it measures. For example, some home cholesterol tests only check total cholesterol. Another cholesterol test, called a lipid profile or lipid panel, will measure several things, including:
 
  • Total cholesterol
  • Low density lipoprotein (LDL) -- the "bad" cholesterol
  • High density lipoprotein (HDL) -- the "good" cholesterol
  • Triglycerides.
     
A lipid profile may also show several cholesterol ratios (see Cholesterol Ratio).
 
Knowing your cholesterol levels will help you understand your risk for developing heart disease or other complications of high cholesterol.
 

Total Cholesterol Levels

The level of total cholesterol (as the name implies) refers to the total amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
 Total cholesterol combines levels for HDL, LDL, and another type of cholesterol known as VLDL, or very low density lipoprotein.
 
A total cholesterol reading over 240 mg/dL is high, a level between 200 and 239 mg/dL is borderline high, and anything under 200 is a healthy cholesterol level. If your total cholesterol is higher than 240 mg/dL, your risk for heart disease and stroke is higher.
 
Total Cholesterol Level
Total Cholesterol Category
Less than 200 mg/dL
Desirable
200-239 mg/dL
Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above
High
 
(Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams [mg] of cholesterol per deciliter [dL] of blood.)
 
Total cholesterol can be misleading, though, because a person can have a healthy total cholesterol and still have either a low HDL level or a high LDL level. Therefore, most cholesterol treatment decisions are based on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, not total cholesterol. So, it's best to think of the total cholesterol number as an overview number.
 

HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the "good" cholesterol. HDLs carry cholesterol in the blood from other parts of the body back to the liver, which leads to its removal from the body. So HDL helps keep cholesterol from building up in the walls of the arteries. If your HDL cholesterol level is below 40 mg/dL, you are at substantially higher risk for heart disease. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the better.
 
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
 
The average level of HDL cholesterol for men is about 45 mg/dL; for women, it is about 55 mg/dL.
 

LDL Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the "bad" cholesterol. LDLs carry most of the cholesterol in the blood, and the cholesterol from LDL is the main source of damaging buildup and blockage in the arteries. Thus, the more LDL you have in your blood, the greater your risk of heart disease.
 
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
 
This is not the complete story regarding LDL cholesterol. Optimal levels also take into account your risk for heart disease.
 
(Click Heart Attack Risk or High Cholesterol Risk to determine your risk for having a heart attack.)
 
The following table outlines recommended LDL cholesterol levels based on your risk category.
 
If You Have
You Are in Category
And Your LDL Goal Is
Heart disease, diabetes, or a risk score higher than 20%
I. Highest risk
Less than 100 mg/dL
Two or more risk factors and a risk score 10%-20%
II. Next highest risk
Less than 130 mg/dL
Two or more risk factors and a risk score lower than 10%
III. Moderate risk
Less than 130 mg/dL
One or no risk factors
IV. Low to moderate risk
Less than 160 mg/dL
  

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are not actually cholesterol, but a form of fat carried through the bloodstream. Most of your body's fat is in the form of triglycerides stored in fat tissue. Only a small portion is found in the bloodstream.
 
High triglyceride levels alone do not necessarily cause atherosclerosis. But some lipoproteins that are rich in triglycerides also contain cholesterol, which causes atherosclerosis in some people with high triglycerides. Also, high triglycerides are often accompanied by other factors, such as low HDL or diabetes, that raise the risk of heart disease. Therefore, high levels may be a sign of a lipoprotein problem that contributes to heart disease.
 
Triglyceride Levels
Triglyceride Category
Less than 150 mg/dL
Normal
150-199 mg/dL
Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL
High
500 mg/dL or above
Very high
 
Triglyceride levels that are borderline high (150 to 199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or more) may require treatment.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD