You hear about cholesterol levels all the time, on television ads for pharmaceutical companies, at your doctor's office, and in casual conversation. You probably know by now that you should pay attention to your cholesterol levels. Knowing you should be aware of them and knowing how to do that and what the numbers mean are two different things. It can seem overwhelming at first.

Cholesterol levels are classified into two types of cholesterol, with levels of severity for each type. The first type is your total cholesterol level. This is the number most often checked by your doctor. It is also the number used to get your baseline reading at your first test so your health care provider can monitor any fluctuations. This baseline is recommended anytime after age 20.

In the total cholesterol level, we have three levels. Less than 200 mg/dL is the magic number that means you are at low risk for coronary heart disease and other complications. If your total cholesterol level rises to 200 - 239 mg/dL, your doctor will probably have you make some adjustments in your diet and activity level. This is the warning zone for cardiovascular risk, and still fairly manageable.

If your cholesterol levels reach 240 mg/dL and over, you are firmly in the high total cholesterol level category. You know have twice as much risk of getting heart disease as someone in the 200 mg/dL category. This can still be gotten under control, however. Your doctor will probably put you on a more aggressive diet and exercise plan, and he may consider drug therapy as well to reign in your cholesterol levels.

The flip side of the coin is the HDL cholesterol level. Taken alongside the total cholesterol level, this gives you and your doctor an even clearer picture of your cholesterol based risk factor for heart disease. Unlike the numbers in the total cholesterol levels, you want your HDL cholesterol level numbers to be higher, not lower. HDL cholesterol is considered the "good" kind of cholesterol.

If you have HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL (men) or 50 mg/dL (women), then you don't have enough of the good cholesterol, and your risk for cardiovascular issues is increased significantly. If your HDL cholesterol levels are 60 mg/dL and over is considered a very low risk for heart disease. Think of the HDL cholesterol level as your protector against cardiovascular disease and take steps to a diet and exercise plan that helps keep them high.

If either your total cholesterol levels are high, or your HDL cholesterol levels are high (or both), your doctor will want to run some test to determine your LDL cholesterol level (lipoprotein tests are the most common here). The LDL cholesterol level will be the number your doctor monitors to get your cholesterol back on track. Individual goals will be different (if you have other health issues like diabetes, for example, your goal LDL number will be vastly different from someone who doesn't have the additional health risks).

From the American Heart Association LDL Chart:

LDL Cholesterol Level Category

Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal

100 to 129 mg/dL Near or above optimal

130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline high

160 to 189 mg/dL High

190 mg/dL and above Very high

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