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Goal Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol can be dangerous, especially for people who smoke, are overweight or have high blood pressure. Uncontrolled cholesterol can even result in a heart attack or stroke. Maintaining proper cholesterol levels is a key to health.

  1. HDL Cholesterol

    • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is called "good" cholesterol because it serves the role of removing the "bad," or LDL cholesterol, from your bloodstream. An HDL cholesterol number of 60 or above is optimal and lowers your risk of heart disease. An HDL number of 40 or below for men and 50 or below for women puts the person at risk of heart problems.

    LDL Cholesterol

    • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol that builds up on the walls of your arteries. An optimal LDL cholesterol goal number is under 100, with anything between 100 and 129 counting as near optimal. If you have heart disease, an LDL number of below 100 or even below 70 is recommended. If you have no heart disease, anything under 130 is fine. High LDL cholesterol begins at 130, with very high cholesterol starting at 190.

    Achieving Your Goals

    • Eating a balanced and healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding cigarette smoking are all vital to anyone wanting to lower their cholesterol. Exercise in particular helps increase HDL. LDL cholesterol can be reduced by eating poultry and fish instead of red meats, by avoiding whole-fat dairy products and fried foods, and by eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

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