According to the Mayo Clinic, as outlined in this article about high cholesterol written for the EmpowHER community, the following are general guidelines for cholesterol levels. It should be noted that these numbers are guidelines only.
Total Cholesterol Level Less than 200 mg/dL Desirable 200–239 mg/dL Borderline high 240 mg/dL and higher High
LDL Cholesterol Level Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal 100–129 mg/dL Near optimal/above optimal 130–159 mg/dL Borderline high 160–189 mg/dL High 190 mg/dL and higher Very high
HDL Cholesterol Level Less than 40 mg/dL A major risk factor for heart disease 40–59 mg/dL The higher, the better 60 mg/dL and higher Considered protective against heart disease
According to these guidelines, your total cholesterol result of 218 is on the borderline high risk side.
High cholesterol is treated in many different ways. The one most recommended is adopting a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, eating a healthy diet and incorporating exercise/activity.
Another way high cholesterol is managed is through medications such as statins to lower cholesterol levels, bile-acid-binding resins to help liver use, cholesterol absorption inhibitors to prevent absorption of cholesterol in the small intestines, and combinations of cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins.
Does this help? As you explore this further perhaps you will also have some good tips you learn that you can share with others in the community.Thanks for your interest in taking care of your own good health!
Comment Reply
Hi Bathsheva, and thanks for your question!
According to the Mayo Clinic, as outlined in this article about high cholesterol written for the EmpowHER community, the following are general guidelines for cholesterol levels. It should be noted that these numbers are guidelines only.
Total Cholesterol Level
Less than 200 mg/dL Desirable
200–239 mg/dL Borderline high
240 mg/dL and higher High
LDL Cholesterol Level
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100–129 mg/dL Near optimal/above optimal
130–159 mg/dL Borderline high
160–189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and higher Very high
HDL Cholesterol Level
Less than 40 mg/dL A major risk factor for heart disease
40–59 mg/dL The higher, the better
60 mg/dL and higher Considered protective against heart disease
According to these guidelines, your total cholesterol result of 218 is on the borderline high risk side.
High cholesterol is treated in many different ways. The one most recommended is adopting a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, eating a healthy diet and incorporating exercise/activity.
Another way high cholesterol is managed is through medications such as statins to lower cholesterol levels, bile-acid-binding resins to help liver use, cholesterol absorption inhibitors to prevent absorption of cholesterol in the small intestines, and combinations of cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins.
Since this runs in your family and is of concern to you, I suggest visiting our High Cholesterol Community where you will find many articles, videos and community comments to help you. This is one of my favorites, Lowering Cholesterol Levels While Still Eating Delicious Foods.
Does this help? As you explore this further perhaps you will also have some good tips you learn that you can share with others in the community.Thanks for your interest in taking care of your own good health!
Best,
Pat
September 23, 2014 - 5:45pmThis Comment
Reply