The Range for Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance produced by the liver that is necessary for maintaining healthy cell walls and membranes. Excess amounts of this waxy substance build up in arteries, causing the arteries to harden and narrow and increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol Types

• Cholesterol combines with proteins to form lipoproteins, which allow it to travel from the liver to where it is needed. There are three types: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides.

Total Cholesterol

• A total cholesterol level measures all three types of lipoproteins. A healthy level is 200 mg/dL or below, a level from 201 to 239 mg/dL is borderline high and a level above 240 mg/dL is high.

LDL Levels

• LDL is called "bad" cholesterol because excess amounts clog arteries and lead to heart disease. A healthy level is 129 mg/dL or less, 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline and 160 mg/dL or above is high.

HDL Levels

• Because HDL helps eliminate excess cholesterol from the body, higher HDL levels are healthier. An HDL level above 60 mg/dL protects against heart disease, but a level higher than 40 mg/dL is considered good. An HDL level lower than 40 mg/dL increases the risk for heart disease.

Triglyceride Levels

• Unlike LDL, triglycerides themselves do not cause heart disease but they are linked to diabetes. A healthy triglyceride level is 150 mg/dL or below, 150 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL is borderline and above 200 mg/dL is high.