What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
Quick Facts
- Regular cholesterol testing helps assess and manage your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Keeping your LDL "bad" cholesterol low and HDL (good) cholesterol high can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Factors including age, family history, smoking status, diabetes and blood pressure, also affect your risk.
Healthy cholesterol levels help keep your heart healthy
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is a great way to keep your heart healthy. It can lower your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke.
But first, you have to know your cholesterol levels.
Know Your Cholesterol Levels
According to the American Heart Association, for most adults, cholesterol screening every five years starting at 19 years of age works well. Your health care professional can help determine the right schedule based on your individual risk factors.
High cholesterol can also begin in childhood, sometimes due to inherited conditions or unhealthy habits. Cholesterol screening is recommended for all children between the ages of 9–11 who have not previously been screened to help assess risk and guide care, in collaboration with clinicians, parents and caregivers.
HDL cholesterol
What is HDL cholesterol, and why is it called “good” cholesterol?
HDL cholesterol earns its “good” reputation because higher levels may help protect against heart attack and stroke. Think of HDL as your cardiovascular system’s cleanup crew, helping transport LDL cholesterol away from arteries back to your liver for processing.
How does HDL help prevent heart disease and stroke?
HDL works by carrying LDL cholesterol away from artery walls and back to your liver, where it can be broken down and removed from the body. While HDL cholesterol doesn't remove all LDL cholesterol, it plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health.
What is a good HDL cholesterol level?
According to the American Heart Association, HDL is not a treatment target for lowering heart disease or stroke risk. It should not be interpreted on its own. However, your health care professional still considers HDL levels when assessing your overall risk for heart disease or stroke because people with higher HDL levels may have a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How can I increase HDL cholesterol naturally?
Finding physical activities you enjoy, reaching or maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and eating a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains can all help support healthy HDL cholesterol levels. Small, sustainable changes can often work better than dramatic lifestyle changes.
LDL cholesterol
What is LDL cholesterol, and why is it bad for heart health?
LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in arteries. Over time, this can narrow the arteries and increase the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease, or PAD.
What causes high LDL cholesterol?
- Family history of high cholesterol, including genetic conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited condition that makes it harder for the body to remove LDL “bad” cholesterol from the blood.
- Diet high in saturated fats
- Being less physically active
- Being overweight
- Tobacco use or exposure to secondhand smoke
What is a normal LDL cholesterol level?
There isn’t one “normal” LDL level that works for everyone. Lower LDL levels are linked with better heart and brain health, and the right goal for you depends on various factors related to your health. Your LDL goal may be based on things such as:
- Age
- Overall health
- Family history
- Whether or not you have diabetes (Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes)
- History of heart attack or stroke
For some people, an LDL goal may be below 100 mg/dL. For others, it may be 70 mg/dL or 55 mg/dL for people at very high risk of a heart attack or stroke. Your health care professional can help determine the goal that’s right for you.
How can I lower my LDL cholesterol?
Healthy lifestyle habits such as eating well and being physically active can make a difference in cholesterol levels. Sometimes lifestyle changes aren’t enough, and that’s OK. You and your health care professional can work together to explore options that fit your situation. This helpful guide (PDF) can help you review your risks and discuss the best treatment options with your health care team.
Triglycerides
What are triglycerides, and why do they matter for heart health?
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet. High triglycerides can affect heart health, especially when combined with high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol.
What is a normal (or good) triglyceride level?
Triglycerides are another important part of your lipid panel. As with HDL, triglycerides are reviewed together with other risk factors. They are not a primary treatment target for lowering heart disease or stroke risk. A triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL is usually considered normal. Your health care professional can help you understand what your level means for you and how it fits into your overall heart disease and stroke risk.
What causes high triglycerides?
As we get older or gain weight (or both), triglyceride and cholesterol levels can increase. Being physically inactive, smoking, drinking too much alcohol or eating a lot of refined carbohydrates, such as white flour or white rice, can affect triglycerides.
How can I lower triglycerides naturally?
Enjoy heart-healthy foods that nourish you, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fiber and lean protein (plants, fish, lean meats). You don’t need to change everything at once. Even small lifestyle shifts can help improve your lipid profile.
