Ideal Cholesterol Readings

For total cholesterol the National Cholesterol Education Program classifies levels below 200 milligrams/dl (milligrams per deciliter) as “desirable.”  A level between 200 and 239 is “borderline high.”  Anything over 240 is “high.”

Triglyceride levels over 400 milligrams/dl are considered “high” and levels over 1,000 milligrams/dl are considered “very high.”

For LDL, the desirable level is less than 130 milligrams/dl.  The “borderline high” level is 130 to 159.  the “high risk” level is 160 and above.

Higher is better for HDL (good cholesterol).  For HDL, the numbers are lower because there is less HDL in the blood.  Anything lower than 35 milligrams/dl is considered “high risk.”  If your HDL is very high (a level of 60 mg/dL or more is good), say over 60, your risk of heart disease is reduced. A level less than 40 mg/dL is low and increases your risk for developing heart disease.

The LDL, however, is the “bad” cholesterol and the most important factor in predicting heart attack.  For LDL, lower is better preferably less than 160.  It’s best to keep the level around 130.