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Cholesterol Risk Levels

A cholesterol test is technically known as a fasting lipoprotein profile and it measures the amount of cholesterol in the blood system. The results provide an indication of an individual's level of cardiac and coronary risk. The test results provide levels of both HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and based upon those results a patient is categorized within a risk level.

  1. HDL and LDL cholesterol

    • When cholesterol test results are reviewed, distinguishing between HDL and LDL cholesterol is important for overall risk categorization. Good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, aids in cleaning the cardiovascular system, while bad cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, builds up and plugs the cardiovascular system. Maintaining low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL is ideal.

    High Risk Levels

    • When a person's LDL cholesterol is greater than 240 mg/dL, he/she is considered high risk for heart disease. The risk is also much higher if the HDL level is less than 50 mg/dL. At these levels, lifestyle changes become critical to the person's overall health and medication to reduce cholesterol may also be prescribed.

    Borderline High Risk

    • If the LDL cholesterol levels are between 200 and 239 mg/dL, the patient is considered borderline high risk. At these levels, patients can typically make lifestyle changes to their diet and exercise routines and effectively reduce their LDL cholesterol and increase their HDL cholesterol to a desirable level.

    Desirable levels

    • When LDL cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, it is considered a desirable level and puts the patient at a low risk for heart disease. Although the risk level is low, individuals in this category should still have their cholesterol levels regularly checked.

    Decreasing LDL levels

    • In order to decrease levels of LDL cholesterol, it is important to maintain a diet that is low in saturated fats. Other foods to avoid include meats with high levels of animal fat, whole milk dairy products, eggs and heavy creams.

    Increasing HDL levels

    • Another way to maintain healthy heart cholesterol levels is to increase HDL cholesterol levels. By consuming whole grain foods, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, HDL levels will increase and ultimately benefit a person's coronary health.

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