Healthy Cholesterol Numbers

Cholesterol levels should be screened at least once every five years while you are in your 20s. Men over 35 and women over 45 should be screened yearly. The screening consists of a blood test called a lipoprotein profile.

Types of Cholesterol

• Total cholesterol is broken down into two types: LDL and HDL. Both types have certain guidelines for maintaining health.

LDL

• LDL stands for low density lipoprotein and is known as bad cholesterol. A level of less than 100 is considered optimal, 100 to 129 is near optimal and 130 to 159 is borderline high. An LDL level from 160 to 189 is considered high, and 190 and above is classified as very high.

HDL

• HDL, or high density lipoprotein, is the measure for good cholesterol. A level of 60 and above is optimal. A level of less than 40 in men and less than 50 in women is low and puts you at risk of a heart attack.

Triglycerides

• Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fats exist in the body. A high triglyceride count has been linked to heart disease. Levels of triglycerides, which are part of the lipoprotein profile, should be less than 150.

Warning

• If any of the above levels are out of balance, you should talk with your doctor about a low cholesterol diet or possibly managing your cholesterol levels with medication.