Your cholesterol numbers show how much cholesterol is circulating in your blood. Your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total should be below 200. Talk with your provider about what your results mean for you and how to manage your cholesterol.
Your cholesterol numbers are important because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that helps your body perform many important functions. But too much cholesterol in your blood is bad for you. It can enter your artery wall, damage its integrity and lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque (hardened deposits).
This process of plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis. It can lead to serious problems like:
Cholesterol travels through your blood silently. And it turns into plaque silently. Plaque buildup is like someone tip-toeing on carpet. You might not see or notice its presence for a long time. You may have no symptoms until you have a heart attack or stroke. At that point, the plaque is like high heels on a hardwood floor. And it’s already caused serious damage to your body.
You can live for many years with high cholesterol and not even know it. That’s why it’s essential to get your cholesterol numbers checked on a regular basis. If your cholesterol numbers are too high (hyperlipidemia), that’s a red flag for you and your healthcare provider. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. But catching it early gives you a chance to make changes and get your cholesterol to a healthy level.
Cholesterol numbers in the heart-healthy range can help lower your risk of heart disease.
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Your provider checks your cholesterol levels through a blood test called a lipid panel (or lipid profile). Your provider will draw blood from a vein in your arm and send the blood to a lab for analysis. Be sure to closely follow your provider’s instructions on how to prepare for the test. You’ll likely need to fast for 12 hours beforehand. This means avoiding all foods and drinks except water.
When your results come in, your provider will let you know. You may also be able to access your results through your electronic medical record.
Your lipid panel gives you the following numbers:
Healthcare providers measure cholesterol levels as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. The abbreviation is mg/dL. Providers use these same units to measure your triglycerides.
Normal cholesterol levels vary based on your age and sex assigned at birth.
The chart below shows normal cholesterol levels. Healthcare providers consider these numbers healthy for most people. If you have heart disease or many risk factors, your LDL target may be different. Your healthcare provider may want your LDL level to be below 70 mg/dL. So, it’s important to talk with your provider about your test results and what they mean for you.
All units in the chart below are mg/dL.
Age | Total cholesterol | Non-HDL cholesterol | LDL cholesterol | HDL cholesterol |
---|---|---|---|---|
19 and younger | Below 170 | Below 120 | Below 110 | Above 45 |
20 and older; assigned male at birth | 125 to 200 | Below 130 | Below 100 | 40 or higher |
20 and older; assigned female at birth | 125 to 200 | Below 130 | Below 100 | 50 or higher |
Age | ||||
19 and younger | ||||
Total cholesterol | ||||
Below 170 | ||||
Non-HDL cholesterol | ||||
Below 120 | ||||
20 and older; assigned male at birth | ||||
Total cholesterol | ||||
125 to 200 | ||||
Non-HDL cholesterol | ||||
Below 130 | ||||
20 and older; assigned female at birth | ||||
Total cholesterol | ||||
125 to 200 | ||||
Non-HDL cholesterol | ||||
Below 130 |
As you review your results, remember that you want your LDL to be low and your HDL to be high. Ideally, your HDL should be above 60. It’s the helpful cholesterol. An HDL above 60 offers you protection against heart disease.
Most normal cholesterol levels are the same regardless of your sex. But there is one key difference among adults. That’s your HDL number. As the chart above shows, people assigned female at birth need a higher HDL level (at least 50) compared with people assigned male at birth (at least 40).
High cholesterol generally means your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher. But providers use additional categories like “borderline high” and “near optimal” to break down your results. If your numbers are close to normal levels, they may be easier to manage through lifestyle and dietary changes.
The chart below shows cholesterol levels that are higher than normal. All units are mg/dL.
Age | Total cholesterol | Non-HDL cholesterol | LDL cholesterol |
---|---|---|---|
19 and younger | Borderline high: 170-199; High: 200 or higher | Borderline high: 120-144; High: 145 or higher | Borderline high: 110-129; High: 130 or higher |
20 and older | Borderline high: 200-239; High: 240 or higher | High: 130 or higher | Near-optimal: 100-129; Borderline high: 130-159; High: 160-189; Very high: 190 or higher |
Age | |||
19 and younger | |||
Total cholesterol | |||
Borderline high: 170-199; High: 200 or higher | |||
Non-HDL cholesterol | |||
Borderline high: 120-144; High: 145 or higher | |||
20 and older | |||
Total cholesterol | |||
Borderline high: 200-239; High: 240 or higher | |||
Non-HDL cholesterol | |||
High: 130 or higher |
Your provider will tell you how often you need your cholesterol checked. It depends on your:
Children and teens age 19 and younger should get their first test between ages 9 and 11. Then, they should receive a test every five years. Your child’s provider may recommend starting at a younger age based on family history.
Here are general guidelines for adults based on sex and age.
Age | How often to get your cholesterol checked |
---|---|
20 to 44 | Every five years. |
45 to 65 | Every one to two years. |
65+ | Every year. |
Age | |
20 to 44 | |
How often to get your cholesterol checked | |
Every five years. | |
45 to 65 | |
How often to get your cholesterol checked | |
Every one to two years. | |
65+ | |
How often to get your cholesterol checked | |
Every year. |
Age | How often to get your cholesterol checked |
---|---|
20 to 54 | Every five years. |
55 to 65 | Every one to two years. |
65+ | Every year. |
Age | |
20 to 54 | |
How often to get your cholesterol checked | |
Every five years. | |
55 to 65 | |
How often to get your cholesterol checked | |
Every one to two years. | |
65+ | |
How often to get your cholesterol checked | |
Every year. |
You may feel upset to learn you have high cholesterol. But now that you know about it, you can take action to lower your numbers.
Follow your provider’s guidance on how to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Some general tips include:
Most of all, don’t blame yourself. High cholesterol is a common condition that can be hard to control through lifestyle choices alone. And many factors beyond our control limit the choices we can make.
Be kind to yourself, and remember that your cholesterol numbers don’t define you as a person. They simply give you a window into what’s happening inside your body. Your provider will help you use that information to plan your treatment and keep your arteries healthy for a long time to come.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Knowing your cholesterol numbers can help you learn your risk for heart disease. But keep in mind that your cholesterol numbers are just part of the story. Your provider will also look at other aspects of your health to learn more about your risks. So, if your numbers fall outside the normal range, don’t panic. Talk with your provider about what your cholesterol levels mean in the context of your overall health. And work with your provider to get your numbers back to a healthier place.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/28/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy