| Keeping Cholesterol in Check | Know Your Numbers | Treating High Cholesterol | Additional Resources |
Know your numbers!
Do you know your cholesterol levels? After having your blood tested, check the chart below to see what your test results mean.
| Total Cholesterol | |
| Less than 200 mg/dL | Desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 240 mg/dL and above | High* |
| LDL Cholesterol | |
| Less than 100 mg/dL | Optimal |
| 100-129 mg/dL | Near optimal/above optimal |
| 130-159 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 160-189 mg/dL | High* |
| 190 mg/dL and above | Very high* |
HDL (good) cholesterol protects against heart disease, so for HDL, higher numbers are better. A level less than 40 mg/dL is low and is considered a major risk factor. A low HDL increases your risk for developing heart disease. HDL levels of 60 mg/dL or more help to lower your risk for heart disease.
*If you're in the high or very high range for Total Cholesterol or LDL Cholesterol be sure to ask your doctor for recommendations for lowering your cholesterol.
Sources: National Cholesterol Education Program, National Institute of Health, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
