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Medical grading
| LDL Cholesterol Levels |
Classification |
| Less than 100 mg/dL |
Optimal |
| 100 to 129 mg/dL |
Near optimal/above optimal |
| 130 to 159 mg/dL |
Borderline high |
| 160 to 189 mg/dL |
High |
| 190 mg/dL and above |
Very high |
| Total Cholesterol Level |
Classification |
| Less than 200 mg/dL |
Desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL |
Borderline high |
| 240 mg/dL and above |
High |
| Triglyceride Level |
Classification |
| Less than 150 mg/dL |
Normal |
| 150-199 mg/dL |
Borderline high |
| 200-499 mg/dL |
High |
| 500 mg/dL or higher |
Very high |
Barring other risk factors, your risk for heart attack and other cardiovascular disease is low if your LDL cholesterol level is less than 129 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). But this is not a license to abuse your body. Eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week, and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Get your cholesterol levels checked every five years. However, if you are a man older than 45 or a woman older than 55, you might need testing more often. Check with your doctor.
Borderline high risk
People whose total cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg/dL are in the borderline high risk group. Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if:
- Your total cholesterol is in this range.
- Your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL (for men) and less than 50 mg/dL (for women).
- You don't have other risk factors for heart disease.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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