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Your total cholesterol level is the overall amount of cholesterol found in your blood. It consists of:
LDL is also called “bad” cholesterol because it blocks your blood vessels and increases your risk for heart disease. HDL is considered “good” cholesterol because it helps protect you from heart disease. The higher your HDL, the better. Total cholesterol also includes a triglyceride count. These are another type of fat that can build up in the body and are considered the “building blocks” of cholesterol. High levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL raise your risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that all adults have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years, starting at age 20, which is when cholesterol levels can start to rise. As we age, cholesterol levels tend to climb. Men are generally at a higher risk than women for higher cholesterol. However, a woman’s risk goes up after she enters menopause. For those with high cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors, such as diabetes, more frequent testing is recommended. Cholesterol chart for adultsAccording to the 2018 guidelines on the management of blood cholesterol published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), these are the acceptable, borderline, and high measurements for adults. All values are in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and are based on fasting measurements. Cholesterol levels in men vs. womenGenerally, guidelines are similar for men and women over the age of 20, though they differ when it comes to HDL cholesterol, as seen above. Women should aim for higher levels of HDL cholesterol. Children who are physically active, eat a nutrient-dense diet, are not overweight, and do not have a family history of high cholesterol are at a lower risk for having high cholesterol. Current guidelines recommend that all children have their cholesterol checked between ages 9 and 11 years, and then again between ages 17 and 21 years. Children with more risk factors, such as having diabetes, obesity, or a family history of high cholesterol, should be checked between ages 2 and 8 years, and again between ages 12 and 16 years. Cholesterol chart for childrenAccording to the JACC, the following are the recommended cholesterol levels for children: All values are in mg/dL: Your doctor may recommend a plan of treatment for high cholesterol that includes lifestyle modifications and potentially medication. This will vary based on factors like other medications you may be taking, your age, sex, and general health. Here are some medications more commonly prescribed for high cholesterol:
Medications can also be used to treat contributing factors to cholesterol like triglycerides. These may be used in addition to some of the medications above. “One misconception is that people can have poorly controlled cholesterol for years and then decide to take action. By then the plaque could already have built up,” says Dr. Eugenia Gianos, director of cardiovascular prevention for Northwell Health in New York. The good news is that lifestyle changes are reasonably effective in helping you reduce cholesterol levels. They’re also fairly straightforward and can be done at any age and within most abilities.
There are few noticeable symptoms of high cholesterol. Emergency symptoms such as a stroke or heart attack may be the only indicator of damage from high cholesterol. This means that regular monitoring by a doctor is essential. Most people should get their cholesterol checked with a blood test every 4 to 6 years. Your doctor may recommend more frequent screening if you live with any of the following:
Read this article in Spanish. What should my cholesterol be for my age?High cholesterol levels by age chart. What are good cholesterol numbers?Here are the ranges for total cholesterol in adults: Normal: Less than 200 mg/dL. Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL. High: At or above 240 mg/dL.
What is the normal range for HDL and LDL?The following levels are considered to be "good" in healthy people: Total cholesterol: Levels below 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) LDL cholesterol: Levels below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) HDL cholesterol: Levels above 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) in men and above 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women.
Which is worse cholesterol or triglycerides?In fact, high triglycerides are as dangerous as bad cholesterol when it comes to your risk for heart disease. According to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high triglycerides could be a problem for one-third of all Americans.
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