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What Should One's Cholesterol Levels Be?

Despite its bad reputation, cholesterol plays important roles in your body. It is used in the production of cell membranes, for example. But that does not mean you should go out of your way to eat high-cholesterol foods such as meat, dairy products and egg yolks. Your body is capable of producing the waxy chemical in perfectly adequate quantities. Avoiding excessive cholesterol, in fact, is key to maintaining good heart health.

  1. Testing

    • Doctors look at several cholesterol numbers. Chief among them is total blood cholesterol, which is measured in milligrams per deciliter (of blood). In many cases further measurements are taken at the time of testing, including HDL (high-density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol. Testing for triglycerides is also common. When all of the tests are run in one screening, you receive what is known as your lipoprotein profile.

    The Right Level

    • With HDL, the "good" cholesterol, the question is not whether you have too much, but whether you have enough. It may actually help to keep your arteries clean. Generally, men need at least 40 milligrams per deciliter and women 50 milligrams per deciliter.

      LDL cholesterol is the one to keep low--below 160 milligrams per deciliter. LDL increases your chances of a heart attack or a stroke by building up plaque along artery walls.

      If you already have been diagnosed with heart disease, your recommended cholesterol levels may be different. In the case of LDL, it's likely your doctor will set a goal for you of 70 milligrams to 100 milligrams per deciliter.

      If your levels are not appropriate, your doctor likely will prescribe cholesterol-lowering medicines along with changes to your lifestyle, such as a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet and increased exercise.

    When to Test

    • In general, cholesterol testing should start at age 20 and be repeated every five years for the next two decades, according to the American Heart Association. When men reach 45 and women 50, they should consult with their doctor about more frequent testing.

      Regardless of age, people may require more frequent testing if elevated levels are found or they have such risk factors as being overweight or a having a family history of heart trouble.

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