Table 1. Making Sense of Your Cholesterol Count*
|
Type of Fat |
Bad |
Better |
Desirable |
| Total Blood Cholesterol | 240 mg/dL** and above needs evaluation of HDL and LDL levels | 200-239 is borderline high | 200 and less; 150 is ideal |
| HDL | 40 mg/dL or less | 45 for men; 55 for women | 60 or more |
| LDL | 190 mg/dL or more considered very high; 160-189 considered high | 130-159 is borderline high | 100-129 is nearly the best; under 100 is ideal |
| Triglycerides | 500 mg/dL or more is very high; 200-499 is considered high | 150-199 is borderline high | Under 150 is normal |
*From the revised guidelines ATP III, National Institutes of Health
**mg/dL means milligrams per deciliter of blood
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Cholesterol Guidelines
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