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Recommended total cholesterol levels are under 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for adults and under 170 mg/dL for children. Females typically need more HDL (good) cholesterol than...
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is often called the “bad” cholesterol because it collects in the walls of your blood vessels, raising your chances of health problems.
Your cholesterol levels show how much cholesterol is circulating in your blood. Your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100.
What do HDL and LDL cholesterol levels mean? The American Heart Association explains healthy cholesterol levels and what your triglyceride level and total cholesterol score mean.
Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels.
HDL cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol you generally want more of, while LDL cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol you generally want less of. For most healthy adults 19 years and older, your LDL should be less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and your HDL should be greater than 40 mg/dL.
HDL cholesterol can be thought of as the “good” cholesterol because a healthy level may help protect against heart attack and stroke. HDL carries LDL (bad) cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where the LDL is broken down and passed from the body.
What range of LDL is bad? An LDL level above 100 mg/dL raises your risk of cardiovascular disease. Healthcare providers check your cholesterol levels through a simple blood test called a lipid panel. When you receive your results, it’s important to talk to your provider about what your cholesterol numbers mean.
The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL and/or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for health problems, such as heart attack. Learn more about optimal blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
For a healthy heart, the aim is to have a high level of HDL (good) cholesterol, and a lower level of non-HDL (bad) cholesterol. Healthy total levels are below 5.0mmol/L, or 4.0mmol/L if you’ve had a heart attack or stroke.