What is the recommended level of blood cholesterol?

Question

What is the recommended level of blood cholesterol?

Answer 1

According to the American Heart Association, your LDL (bad) cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. 200 - 239 is considered borderline high, and levels at 240 or above put you at a significantly higher risk for heart problems.

As for HDL (the good cholesterol), under 40 mg/dL if you are a man and under 50 mg/dL if you are a woman puts you at a higher risk for heart disease. 60 mg/dL and above actually helps prevent heart disease.

Answer 2

The total cholesterol recommendations are correct, although recommendations regarding LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol depends on your risk of heart disease and death.  A summary of the current recommendations can be seen here:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/chol...