For more information, please contact
MGH Superior Wellness Center at (906) 225-3221
or toll free at 1-800-562-9753 ext. 3221, or go to
ww4.mgh.org/wellnessCenter.
Healthy Hints: Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers
Your health care provider may order blood tests to check your cholesterol, often referred to as a
“coronary risk panel”, or “lipid profile”. This test will often include total cholesterol, HDL and LDL
cholesterol, and a triglyceride level. With regard to the risk of heart disease, a total cholesterol
number of 200 or less is good. Your HDL cholesterol is thought to protect against heart disease. It is
called your “good” cholesterol. The higher the HDL level, the better. An HDL level below 40 is not
good, and an HDL of 60 or greater is thought to offer protection against heart disease. Your HDL is
considered “good” because it transports cholesterol out of the blood stream back to the liver to reduce
build-up in the arteries. Your LDL is considered “bad” because it does the opposite; it transports
cholesterol from the liver to the blood stream where it can increase build-up in the arteries.
So, HDL = Healthy, and LDL = Lousy.
You may also see a calculated value, called the total cholesterol/HDL ratio. If you do not have a report
of this ratio, you can easily do it yourself. The TC/HDL ratio is done by merely dividing the total
cholesterol number by the HDL number. Although there is not total agreement, many experts believe
that this total cholesterol/HDL ratio (TC/HDL) is more likely to predict heart disease than the total
cholesterol value alone. This TC/HDL ratio concept makes sense because it gives added weight to the
HDL value when assessing these multiple blood cholesterol values for the risk of heart disease. As a
general guideline, a TC/HDL ratio of 4.0 or less is good, and this value would indicate a lower
risk for heart disease.
A triglyceride level of less than 150 is considered desirable, but this number is not as commonly used
to predict the risk of heart disease. Elevated triglyceride levels are often seen with excess alcohol
use, diabetes and high blood sugar levels. Very high triglyceride levels may cause pancreatitis.
Please see the reverse side of this information sheet for additional and more detailed information.
Knowing your cholesterol numbers is a great starting point for learning about prevention and
treatment options for heart disease and your health.
TOTAL BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVEL
Total Blood (Serum Cholesterol)
Less than 200 mg/dL
200-239 mg/dL
240 mg/dL and over
Classification
Desirable
Borderline High Risk
High Risk
Diet and activity affect your blood cholesterol levels as well as the cholesterol that is made by your body.
HDL LEVEL
In the average man, HDL ranges from 40 to 50 mg/dL; in the average woman, from 50 to 60 mg/dL.
An HDL cholesterol of 60 mg/dL or higher gives some prevention against heart disease.
To raise HDL levels: avoid tobacco smoke, maintain a healthy weight and be physically active most days.
LDL LEVEL
LDL – Cholesterol
Less than 100 mg
100-129 mg/dL
130-159 mg/dL
160-189 mg/dL
190 mg/dL or higher
Classification
Optimal
Near Optimal
Borderline High
High
Very High
The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL
Triglyceride Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL
150 mg/dL or less
150-199 mg/dL
200-499 mg/dL
Greater than 500 mg/dL
Classification
Optimal
Normal
Borderline High
High
Very High
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL/HDL RATIO
Heart Disease Risk
Lowest
Low
Average
Moderate
High
Men
Less than 3.8
3.9-4.7
4.8-5.9
6.0-6.9
Greater than or equal to 7.0
Women
Less than 2.9
3.0-3.6
3.7-4.6
4.7-5.6
Greater than or equal to 5.7
For more Healthy Hints visit: http://www.mgh.org/nutritionMed/
Reference: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org. Accessed 4/8/2013.
Created 5/2010, Revised 4/2013