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HDL Vs. Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol includes both HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and the so-called bad cholesterols (mostly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)).

  1. What is HDL?

    • HDL is called the good cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from your blood vessel walls and delivers it to the liver for your body to get rid of.

    Total Cholesterol Level

    • According to the American Heart Association, a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL is desirable. A level of 200 to 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high risk, and over 240 mg/dL is high risk.

    HDL Level

    • Also according to the American Heart Association, higher HDL levels are better. Men who have HDL less than 40 mg/dL and women who have less than 50 mg/dL are considered at higher risk for heart disease. An HDL level of 60 mg/dL or higher is considered desirable for some protection against heart disease.

    Ratio of Total Cholesterol to HDL

    • According the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is important. You get this number by dividing total cholesterol level by HDL level. Small ratios are better. For example, if you have total cholesterol of 200 and an HDL of 60, the ratio is 3.3. But if your HDL were 35 instead of 60, the ratio is 5.7, and you are considered at higher risk for heart disease.

    Considerations

    • Cholesterol levels are not a disease and need to be taken into consideration with other risk factors for heart disease.

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