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Normal Levels of Blood Cholesterol

A blood cholesterol test should be a routine part of your health care plan. When you know why your cholesterol levels are significant and what they tell you about your heart health, you can take steps to keep your levels within a normal range.

  1. The Test

    • Cholesterol levels are measured in a comprehensive blood cholesterol test, known as a lipid profile. This test requires a simple blood draw after a fasting for nine to 12 hours.

    Types

    • Blood cholesterol is gauged as part of three distinct types. LDL or "bad" cholesterol is what builds up on your artery walls, whereas HDL or "good" cholesterol disposes of excess cholesterol through the liver. Your total blood cholesterol level is a number comprised of your triglycerides and your HDL and LDL cholesterols.

    Ranges

    • The best HDL levels are high numbers, typically above 60 mg/dL. However, you want low LDL (below 70 or 100 mg/dL) and low total blood cholesterol (below 200 mg/dL).

    Significance

    • Your risk of developing coronary heart disease doubles when your overall blood cholesterol rises about 240 mg/dL, creating a condition known as atherosclerosis. According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, killing nearly half a million people each year.

    Misconceptions

    • Your cholesterol levels are not something you can feel or see without a blood test. The National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines recommend that your should have a lipid profile done every five years, beginning at age 20.

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