Cholesterol Reading

Cholesterol Reading

As most of us should know by now, cholesterol is a substance that is present in the human body, and is both good and bad for us. High levels of  LDL or bad cholesterol can put you at an increased risk for heart diseases and strokes, where as low levels of HDL or good cholesterol, can also increase your risk substantially.

Total Cholesterol Reading:

Under 200mg/DL:  If your cholesterol levels are lower than 200 mg/dl, you are considered to have the optimum and normal levels of cholesterol.

200 - 239mg/DL:  If your cholesterol levels are within this range of total body cholesterol, you are categorized as borderline - high risk for getting heart diseases or stroke.
 

240mg/DL or more:  If your total body cholesterol is 240mg/DL or more, you are considered highly at risk of getting a heart disease.

Normal Levels Of HDL:  Normal levels of HDL should be 50-60 mg/DL for women and 40-50mg/DL for men. HDL is the good cholesterol, and levels lower than 40mg/DL can increase your risk of heart diseases.

Normal Levels Of LDL:  Below you will see the optimum, normal, and high levels of LDL:

Below 100mg/DL - Optimum levels
Between 100 and 129mg/DL - Normal levels
Between 130 and 159mg/DL - Borderline Risk
Between 160 and 189mg/DL - High Risk
More Than 190mg/DL - Very High Risk
 

Please note:

These readings should serve as a guideline and are considered as part of your overall profile when a doctor makes an assessment. It is known that some people's reading is higher compared to others and yet they pose no risk simply because cholesterol is also made naturally by the body and some people may have higher levels than others.

By understanding the ideal and total cholesterol reading ranges and by making healthy lifestyle choices, you should be able to achieve your own ideal cholesterol levels, naturally. So, pull out those running shoes from underneath your bed and take a rain check on that take away dinner with your buddy tomorrow evening and better your health today.

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