Normal cholesterol values

The American Heart Association standard of Normal cholesterol values

Borderline or high numbers can be predictors of heart disease. The important factors include total triglycerides, total HDL and total LDL count. As we all know well, LDL builds up in the blood vessels and arteries, while HDL carries LDL back to the liver for reprocessing or excretion.

Only a portion of total circulating cholesterol comes from diet. The rest, an average of 1 gram per day, is produced within the liver. Things that stimulate this production include excessive alcohol intake and eating simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables decrease production of cholesterol.

Ideally, the highest cholesterol levels for a woman would be less than 200mg total, with 50-60mg or higher for HDL and less than 100mg of LDL. If your total number is in the range of 200 and 240, but the test did not show the readings of LDL and HDL levels, your doctor should order a “fasting profile” testing, according to the American Heart Association. This way, can have a more accurate measurement of your cardiovascular condition.

A fasting blood glucose level might also be ordered at the same time. This test can identify pre-diabetes. Type II diabetes is another risk factor for poor cardio health, but it has been shown in numerous studies that lifestyle and dietary changes can prevent pre-diabetes from becoming type II diabetes. After you get the test result, ask as much information as possible from your doctor about what it means.

The normal cholesterol values for a man are less than 200mg total, 40-50mg or higher for HDL and less than 100mg of LDL. This is very similar to those of a woman, but the average HDL level is slightly lower for a man than for a woman.