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We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children. Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your cholesterol.
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 HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total should be below 200. Talk with your provider about what your results mean for you and how to manage your cholesterol.
Cholesterol levels are checked using lipid profile tests. Learn how to read your cholesterol level numbers, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
What is a healthy cholesterol level by age? For children and teens, borderline high total cholesterol levels are 170–199 mg/dl and borderline high LDL levels are 100–129 mg/dl.
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. For teens and children 19 and younger, the LDL should be less than 110 mg/dL, while the HDL should be greater than 45 mg/dL.
Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol. One serving of a breakfast cereal with oatmeal or oat bran provides 3 to 4 grams of fiber. If you add fruit, such as a banana or berries, you'll get even more fiber.
High cholesterol levels can put you at risk of heart diseases. It's important to get regular cholesterol tests and make sure your levels are in a healthy range.
If the Nutrition Label shows no cholesterol, the food is heart healthy. Fact: Many “no cholesterol” or even “low-fat” foods are high in other types of “bad” fats, such as saturated and trans fats. Be sure to check the food label for saturated fat, trans fat, and total calories.
Managing Your Cholesterol offers up-to-date information to help you or a loved one keep cholesterol in check. The report spells out what are healthy and unhealthy cholesterol levels, and offers specific ways to keep cholesterol in line. It covers cholesterol tests and the genetics of cholesterol.