|
Classification of LDL and HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and
triglycerides
|
LDL ("bad") cholesterol |
|
Less
than 100 |
Optimal |
|
100-129 |
Near
optimal/above optimal |
|
130-159 |
Borderline high |
|
160-189 |
High |
|
Equal
to or higher than 190 |
Very
high |
|
HDL ("good") cholesterol |
|
Less
than 40 |
Low |
|
Equal
to or higher than 60 |
High |
|
Total cholesterol (TC) |
|
Less
than 200 |
Desirable |
|
200-239 |
Borderline high |
|
Equal
to or higher than 240 |
High |
|
Triglycerides |
|
Less
than 150 |
Normal |
|
150-199 |
Borderline high |
|
200-499 |
High |
|
Equal
to or higher than 500 |
Very
high |
Reducing your cholesterol
Lowering cholesterol is
important for everyone, including younger, middle-aged, and older adults, and
people with or without heart disease and/or stroke. Lowering cholesterol levels
that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the
chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease. This is especially true for
people who have already suffered a heart attack.
There are several ways to
treat high cholesterol. One option is known as therapeutic lifestyle changes
(TLC), which includes a cholesterol-lowering diet (called the TLC diet),
physical activity, and weight management. In some cases, it may be necessary to
take cholesterol-lowering drugs together with TLC treatment to lower LDL
cholesterol levels. Depending on what your LDL level is, your doctor will decide
which approach is best for you.
|
