Total Cholesterol 7.2 mmol/L: Is It High? Understanding Cholesterol Ranges

Yes, a total cholesterol of 7.2 mmol/L (≈278 mg/dL) is HIGH.

Current Guidelines (ESC/EAS, ACC/AHA)

Category	mmol/L	mg/dL
Desirable	< 5.2	< 200
Borderline High	5.2 – 6.2	200 – 239
High	≥ 6.2	≥ 240

7.2 mmol/L exceeds the high threshold. However, total cholesterol alone is insufficient for risk assessment.

What Matters More

• LDL-C: Primary target; goal depends on risk (e.g., <1.8 mmol/L for very high risk).
• Non-HDL-C: Total – HDL; better predictor than LDL alone.
• Triglycerides, HDL-C, ApoB, Lp(a): Additional risk modifiers.
• Global Risk Score: SCORE2, ASCVD Pooled Cohort Equations incorporate age, sex, BP, smoking, diabetes.

Next Steps

Request a full lipid profile. Discuss 10-year cardiovascular risk with your clinician. Lifestyle (Mediterranean diet, exercise, weight control) is first-line; statin therapy indicated based on risk level.