Normal Cholesterol Levels Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
A brief digest about this topic
Stellar cholesterol levels shield you from heart disease two ways. Low levels of heart-menacing LDLs reduce risk for fatty deposits in artery walls. And high levels of helpful HDLs ensure that your body’s got a huge clean-up crew ready to whisk excess LDLs out of your bloodstream. For most people, aiming for LDLs below 100 mg/dl and HDLs above 40 for men, 50 for women, is plenty. But sometimes, normal’s not enough. LDLs under 70 mg/dl may be better for people at high risk for heart disease—such as those with diabetes, heart risks like high blood pressure and obesity, a family history of early heart disease (before age 55 for men, 65 for women) and people over age 65.
Fast Facts:- Getting LDLs below 60 cut risk heart attacks and other heart problems by 33%; levels below 40 cut risk 39% in one study.
- Pushing LDLs down that low usually requires a cholesterol-lowering statin drug.
- Are ultra-low LDLs natural? Maybe. Newborn babies have LDLs of 30-70. Adults who lead prehistoric, hunter-gatherer lifestyles have LDLs of 50-70.
- Higher HDLs are a good thing, too. Levels over 60 mg/dl provide extra heart protection, studies show.
- Pay attention to triglycerides, too. Healthy levels are below 150. Losing weight, cutting back on refined foods and drinking less alcohol can help.
What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
heart.org — “High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.” View full resource at heart.org
Understanding Cholesterol Numbers: LDL, HDL, Total Cholesterol, and Triglyceride Levels
webmd.com — “Does cholesterol testing confuse you? Make sense of your cholesterol numbers, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.” View full resource at webmd.com
What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
americanheart.org — “What are healthy levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides?” View full resource at americanheart.org
Cholesterol: What Your Level Means -- familydoctor.org
familydoctor.org — “Information about your cholesterol level from the American Academy of Family Physicians.” View full resource at familydoctor.org
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