Cholesterol levels

What are cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:

• LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries


• HDL cholesterol - the "good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries

When you get your cholesterol tested, your healthcare provider will look at your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. They'll use these numbers to calculate your risk of developing heart disease.

Healthy cholesterol levels depend on your risk factors, but generally:

• Total cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL


• LDL ("bad") cholesterol should be under 100 mg/dL


• HDL ("good") cholesterol should be 60 mg/dL or higher


• Triglycerides should be under 150 mg/dL

High cholesterol usually doesn't have any signs or symptoms. The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are healthy is to get regular blood tests. It's recommended that all adults over 20 years old have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. Those with risk factors like obesity, smoking, family history of early heart disease, or conditions like diabetes should be tested more often.

You can help keep your cholesterol at healthy levels by:

• Eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats


• Exercising for 30 minutes most days of the week


• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight


• Taking medications as prescribed by your doctor

Monitoring and controlling your cholesterol can go a long way in supporting your heart health! Let me know if you have any other questions.