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What Are the Ranges for HDL & LDL?

If you have received the results of your cholesterol test, then you may be curious about what these numbers mean for you. You likely received three separate numbers: your total cholesterol number, your HDL number and your LDL number.

  1. Identification

    • Your total cholesterol is your combined numbers, but the separate numbers themselves can give your doctor a better look at your actual risk for heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

    Significance

    • High density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels can help your doctor determine your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. These lipoproteins carry and deposit fat in various places around your body, including your arteries.

    Potential

    • HDL ranges from less than 40 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) to over 60 mg/dL. Anything between these two numbers is considered average.

      LDL ranges from less than 100mg/dL to more than 190 mg/dL. Anything between these numbers falls into the categories of above optimal (to 129 mg/dL,) borderline high (to 159 mg/dL) and high (to 189 mg/dL.)

    Warning

    • To be at the lowest risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke, you want your HDL to be above 60 mg/dL and your LDL to be below 100 mg/dL. You don't enter the higher risk for these conditions until your levels reach below 40 mg/dL for HDL or over 190 mg/dL for LDL.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Your lifestyle plays a big role in your cholesterol levels. Even those with genetics that predispose them to these conditions can delay or avoid them with proper lifestyle changes. These include losing weight, quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly.

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