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Your cholesterol levels are measured via a blood test called a lipid profile or panel. It checks four areas: your total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides.
Significance
When your cholesterol levels are healthy you lower your risk for medical problems like heart disease and stroke.
Total Cholesterol Level
Overall, your cholesterol levels are at healthy when your HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels are less than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and you have no other risk factors like a family history of heart disease.
HDL Cholesterol Levels
You want your HDL or good cholesterol at healthy high levels to protect you against heart disease according to the American Heart Association (AHA). For men this level should be 40 to 50 mg/dL and for women it should be 50 to 60 mg/dL.
LDL Cholesterol Levels
The opposite is true for your LDL. You want to maintain healthy low levels of less than 100 mg/dL. Since LDL is considered bad cholesterol, low LDL levels mean lower risk of strokes or heart attacks.
Triglyceride Levels
Triglyceride is a form of fat, according to the AHA, and comes from the food you eat. Healthy levels of triglycerides are less than 150 mg/dL.
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