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Your Goal Numbers
Not only is it important to know your current cholesterol numbers, but also to know your goal numbers — that is, the cholesterol readings you need to reach and maintain for optimal health.
Adults age 20 and older should have their blood cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years. If you don’t know your numbers, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor to find out.
Total Blood Cholesterol Guidelines1 |
|
| Desirable: | Less than 200 mg/dL* |
| Borderline-high: | 200-239 mg/dL |
| High: | 240 mg/dL or higher |
Desirable – Reflects a low risk of heart disease.
Borderline – About a third of American adults are in this
group. Your doctor may order a lipid profile and, depending on the
results and additional risk factors, may treat your cholesterol
medically.
High – In general, people with total cholesterol levels of
240 mg/dL have twice the risk of heart
attack as those with desirable levels. Your doctor may order
a lipid profile to determine the cause, then prescribe treatment.
LDL Cholesterol Classifications1 |
|
| Optimal: | Less than 100 mg/dL |
| Near optimal/above optimal: | 100-129 mg/dL |
| Borderline high: | 130-159 mg/dL |
| High: | 160 to 189 mg/dL |
| Very high: | 190 mg/dL and above |
Your LDL-C goal number will be based on your current and historical medical situation and any risk factors you may have for heart disease. Most people should try to maintain an LDL-C level below 130 mg/dL. If you have heart disease or diabetes, your goal is less than 100 mg/dL. If you don’t know what your LDL-C number is or what your LDL-C goal should be, ask your doctor.
Your HDL Cholesterol Number1
HDL cholesterol goal numbers range from 40 to 50 mg/dL in men, and from 50 to 60 mg/dL in women. A number below 40 mg/dL is low. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease.
Other factors that can increase your risk for high cholesterol include:
Diet:
Consuming a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet can increase your blood cholesterol level. Eating less fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol can help lower it.
Obesity:
Being overweight is a risk factor for many unhealthy conditions, including high cholesterol and heart disease. Maintaining a healthy weight can help lower your LDL-C, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels, and raise your HDL-C level.
Smoking:
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for a low HDL cholesterol level and a major cause of heart disease.
High Blood Pressure:
Hypertension is another factor; your risk increases if your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher or if you are taking antihypertensive medications.
Sedentary Lifestyle:
Regular physical activity can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol levels. Exercise regularly – an average of 30 minutes several times a week.
Age/Gender:
Cholesterol levels rise with age, with risks increasing in men 45 years or older and women 55 years or older. Premenopausal women have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age, but after menopause, women's LDL-C levels tend to rise.
Family History:
High blood cholesterol often runs in families, so your family history will partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes.
*Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.
Learn how Healthy Living can help you reach your cholesterol goals.
And you can chart your personal goal numbers on a handy, printable Treatment Tracker that you can take with you on doctor visits to record your results.
1. National Cholesterol Education Program. Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Education, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III): Final Report. National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. NIH Publication No. 02-52 15; September 2002.