From the Guidelines
For adults, a normal cholesterol range is typically considered to be:
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher for men and women, although some studies suggest a slightly lower threshold of 50 mg/dL for men and 50-60 mg/dL for women 1
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
It's recommended to have your cholesterol levels checked every 5 years if you're 20 or older, or more frequently if you have a history of high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of cardiovascular disease 1. If your cholesterol levels are outside of the normal range, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as a Mediterranean or DASH eating pattern, reducing saturated and trans fat intake, and increasing physical activity 1, or medication, such as statins, to help lower your cholesterol levels 1. Regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercise and resistance training, can also help improve lipid profiles and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 1.
From the Research
Normal Range for Cholesterol Levels
The normal range for cholesterol levels is classified as follows:
- Less than 200 mg/dL: "desirable blood cholesterol" 2
- 200 to 239 mg/dL: "borderline-high blood cholesterol" 2
- Greater than or equal to 240 mg/dL: "high blood cholesterol" 2
Cholesterol Components
The different components of cholesterol are:
- Low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: associated with arterial blockage, and is the primary clinical target for cholesterol management 3, 2
- High-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: may help to protect individuals from developing heart disease 3, 2
Guidelines for Treatment
The guidelines for treatment of high blood cholesterol are as follows:
- Total cholesterol levels greater than 240 mg/dL are considered "high" and require treatment 4
- Patients with LDL cholesterol levels greater than 130 mg/dL are candidates for active diet therapy 4
- Patients with LDL cholesterol levels of 160 to 190 mg/dL after 3 to 6 months of diet therapy are candidates for drug therapy 4
- A high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level less than 35 mg/dL is considered a risk factor and may influence the level of LDL at which drug therapy is initiated 4