Can Moderate Cholesterol Levels Be Normal for Some?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that builds up in your arteries; too much can lead to heart disease or a heart attack. While the cholesterol test numbers are fairly black and white, the interpretation of the results depends upon several factors.

Identification

• Cholesterol test results generally range from the low 100s to the low 300s. Results higher than 200mg/dL are generally considered borderline-high or high.

Types

• There are different types of cholesterol: HDL ("good") cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides.

Profile

• Good cholesterol should be higher than 50mg/dL, ideally higher than 60mg/dL. Bad cholesterol should be lower than 130 mg/dL but lower than 100 mg/dL for high-risk patients. The ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol is also considered. Triglycerides should be lower than 150 mg/dL.

History

• Having a parent or grandparent who has had heart disease, a heart attack or chronically high blood pressure and cholesterol puts you in a much higher risk category. For example, someone with a total cholesterol of 210 with no family history of these conditions might be advised to keep exercising, while a high-risk patient with the same result might be immediately placed on medication.

Considerations

• As with any medical matter, contact your doctor for more information and to discuss your personal and family medical history.