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Initial classification based on total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol

 

Total Cholesterol Level Category
Less than 200 mg/dL Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher raises your risk.
200 to 239 mg/dL Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.
HDL Cholesterol Level
 		 Category
Less than 40 mg/dL Low HDL cholesterol. A major risk factor for heart disease.
40 to 59 mg/dL The higher your HDL level, the better.
60 mg/dL and above High HDL cholesterol. An HDL of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease.

If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more, or your HDL cholesterol is less than 40 mg/dL, you need to have a lipoprotein profile done to determine your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If your cholesterol is high or you have other risk factors, your healthcare provider will likely want to monitor your cholesterol more closely. Follow your provider's advice about how often to have your cholesterol tested. He or she will set appropriate management goals based on your LDL cholesterol level and other risk factors.

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

Your LDL cholesterol goal depends on how many other risk factors you have.

  • If you don't have coronary heart disease or diabetes and have one or no risk factors, your LDL goal is less than 160 mg/dL.
     
  • If you don't have coronary heart disease or diabetes and have two or more risk factors, your LDL goal is less than 130 mg/dL.
     
  • If you do have coronary heart disease or diabetes, your LDL goal is less than 100 mg/dL.

Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. Many people who have heart disease or diabetes have high triglyceride levels. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol seems to speed up atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls that increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Triglyceride Level Category
Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
150-199 mg/dL Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL High
500 mg/dL and above Very high

On the whole, Americans should reduce the amount of saturated fat, trans-fat, cholesterol and total fat in their diet. If you have high blood cholesterol, it's very important to control high blood pressure, avoid tobacco smoke, eat a healthy diet, get regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and control or delay the onset of diabetes. All these will help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. If you still need drugs to reduce your blood cholesterol, a healthy diet and active lifestyle will help lower your cholesterol and improve your overall cardiovascular health
Definition
Lipoproteins are mixtures of fatty cholesterol and proteins in the blood that transport cholesterol, triglycerides, and other lipids to various tissues. There are three types: high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL).Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) is composed mostly of cholesterol, with little protein. VLDL is often called "bad cholesterol" because it deposits cholesterol on the walls of arteries. Increased levels of VLDL are associated with atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. On the contrary, high density lipoprotein (HDL), sometimes referred to as "good cholesterol," seems to protect against blood vessel and heart diseases.

Alternative names
Very low density lipoprotein

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

    Updated 11 March, 2005 - webmaster Dirk Steine