Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Copyright © 2003 by Michelle Jones, editor of CookingLow-Fat.com

With all this talk about good and bad cholesterol, triglycerides, high cholesterol and lowering your cholesterol, a person can get confused!  Here's a breakdown of what's what and just what those healthy range levels really are... 

CHOLESTEROL  Ranges for Most Adults
Optimal Cholesterol Level - GOOD 200 mg/dl or lower
Borderline High Cholesterol 200 - 329 mg/dl
High Cholesterol - AT RISK 240 mg/dl or higher

 

HDL (the 'good' cholesterol)

Ranges for Most Adults

Low HDL - AT RISK

Less than 40 mg/dl

Borderline High HDL

40 - 59 mg/dl

High HDL - GOOD

60 mg/dl or higher

 

LDL (the 'bad' cholesterol)

Ranges for Most Adults

Optimal LDL - GOOD

Less than 100 mg/dl

Near or Above Optimal LDL

100 - 129 mg/dl
Borderline High LDL 130 - 159 mg/dl

HIGH LDL - AT RISK

160 mg/dl or higher

 

TRIGLYCERIDES 

Ranges for Most Adults

Normal Triglycerides - GOOD

less than 150 mg/dl

Borderline high Triglycerides

150 - 199 mg/dl
High Triglycerides   200 - 499 mg/dl

Very high Triglycerides - AT RISK

500 mg/dl or higher

 

Source: Adapted from The Heart Centers of Southwest Virginia

Printer Friendly Version

Recipe Index