Ideal Cholesterol Reading for HDL
While you want your
HDL level to be above 40 mg/dL, it doesn't stop there. For HDL levels, the higher the numbers, the better your
cholesterol. In fact, HDL
cholesterol readings over 60 mg/dL are thought to protect against
heart disease.
Ideal Triglyceride Readings
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 of your triglycerides in your body are found in the bloodstream.
Ideal readings for triglycerides are less than 150 mg/dL.
Understanding Cholesterol Readings at a Glance
The following table outlines healthy
cholesterol levels for each type. Your ideal cholesterol reading will likely fall within the criteria listed.
|
Cholesterol Type
|
Healthy Level
|
|
Total cholesterol
|
Less than 200 mg/dL
|
|
|
Less than 100 mg/dL, but will depend on the number of risk factors
|
|
HDL
|
Greater than 40 mg/dL, but the higher the better
|
|
Triglycerides
|
Less than 150 mg/dL
|
(Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams [mg] of cholesterol per deciliter [dL] of blood.)
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