Chances are that during your last visit to your doctor’s office, you had a simple blood test to check your cholesterol levels. This test is called a lipid profile and it measures your total cholesterol score, which is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood and its individual parts. Your lipid profile numbers, along with your other risk factors, determine your overall risk for heart disease and whether your lipid levels require treatment.
Total cholesterol
Total cholesterol includes your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and 20 percent of your triglyceride level.
Less than 200 mg/dL = Best
200-239 mg/dL = Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above = High
LDL cholesterol: The “bad cholesterol”
LDL cholesterol makes up the majority of the body’s cholesterol. Having high levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup on the walls of your arteries and increase your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke. The lower your LDL cholesterol number, the lower your risk and the better for your heart health.
Less than 100 mg/dL = Best
100-129 mg/dL = Good
130-159 mg/dL = Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL = High
190 mg/dL and above = Very high
HDL cholesterol: The “good” cholesterol
Unlike LDL, HDL cholesterol can actually protect your heart against damage and remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries. Low levels, however, increase your risk for heart disease.
Less than 40 mg/dL = Low
40-59 mg/dL = Good
60 mg/dL and higher = Best
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are another form of fat in your blood. Because they can raise your risk for heart disease, these numbers should be low.
Less than 150 mg/dL = Best
150-199 mg/dL = Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL = High
500 mg/dL and above = Very high
Cholesterol screening guidelines
The American Heart Association recommends all adults ages 20 and older have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. All children and adolescents should have their cholesterol monitored at least once between the ages of 9 and 11 years, and again between ages 17 and 21. Experts also recommend that men ages 35 and older and women ages 45 and older be more frequently screened for lipid disorders.
Knowing your numbers
Your cholesterol levels by themselves are not enough to predict your risk of heart problems. Rather, they’re just one part of the larger picture in combination and context with other risk factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking status and blood pressure. Together, these factors will help your doctor decide whether you need to be treated with cholesterol-lowering medication.
February is American Heart Month. Learn about the cardiology services we offer at Mercy Health.
