Understanding Your Cholesterol Level (cont.)

What the Numbers Mean

Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliters (mg/dL) of blood.

Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. Your risk for heart disease is greater with higher levels of total cholesterol. If your total cholesterol level falls into the high-risk category, your risk of heart disease is twice that of someone with the same risk factors, whose total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL or less.

Your total cholesterol will fall into 1 of 3 categories. However, the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with these levels of cholesterol and triglycerides will depend upon the presence or absence of other risk factors, such as the presence of known cardiovascular disease (eg, prior heart attack or stroke), hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, age, sex, and positive family history. Thus, cardiovascular risk and treatment options must be considered in light of your overall cardiovascular risk profile.

• Desirable - Less than 200 mg/dL
  
  
• Borderline High Risk - 200-239 mg/dL
  
  
• High Risk - 240 mg/dL and above

LDL cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol. Your risk of heart disease goes up if you have a high level of LDL cholesterol in your blood.

Your LDL cholesterol level will fall into 1 of 5 categories:

• Optimal - Less than 100 mg/dL
  
  
• Near Optimal/Above Optimal - 100-129 mg/dL
  
  
• Borderline High - 130-159 mg/dL
  
  
• High - 160-189 mg/dL
  
  
• Very High - 190 mg/dL and above

HDL cholesterol is considered the “good” cholesterol because it helps keep cholesterol from building up in the walls of your arteries. A high level of HDL cholesterol may protect you against heart disease, whereas a low level of HDL cholesterol is considered to be a major risk factor for heart disease. 

Your HDL cholesterol level will fall into 1 of 3 categories:

• High (Desirable) - 60 mg/dL and above
  
  
• Acceptable - 40-59 mg/dL
  
  
• Low - 40 mg/dL and less

Triglycerides are a form of fat carried through the bloodstream. A high level of triglycerides may be a sign of a lipoprotein problem that contributes to heart disease.

Your triglyceride level will fall into 1 of 4 categories:

• Normal - Less than 150 mg/dL
  
  
• Borderline High - 150-199 mg/dL
  
  
• High - 200-499 mg/dL
  
  
• Very High - 500 mg/dL and above

Next: What Should I Do if I Have High Cholesterol? »

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