Cholesterol Level by Age Chart
The Cholesterol Level by Age Chart is a reference tool covering cholesterol levels by age chart, normal cholesterol levels chart, cholesterol chart by age and gender, hdl ldl chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
Cholesterol Level Checker
Enter total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to get a risk classification for each, an overall cardiovascular risk score, and dietary advice.
Enter all four values from your lipid panel to receive a risk classification for each number and an overall cardiovascular risk score.
Cholesterol Levels by Age Chart
| Age Group | Desirable Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) | Desirable LDL (mg/dL) | Desirable HDL (mg/dL) | Desirable Triglycerides (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children & Teens (2–19) | Below 170 | Below 110 | Above 45 | Below 150 |
| Young Adults (20–29) | Below 200 | Below 100 optimal — below 130 acceptable | Above 40 men / above 50 women | Below 150 |
| Adults (30–39) | Below 200 | Below 100 optimal | Above 40 men / above 50 women | Below 150 |
| Adults (40–49) | Below 200 | Below 100 | Above 40 men / above 50 women — rises in post-menopausal women | Below 150 |
| Adults (50–59) | Below 200 | Below 100 | Above 60 protective | Below 150 |
| Adults (60+) | Below 200 | Below 100 | Above 60 protective | Below 150 |
Cholesterol tends to rise naturally with age. Post-menopausal women often see LDL and total cholesterol increase while HDL may also rise. Individual targets should be set in consultation with a doctor based on overall cardiovascular risk.
Source: American Heart Association and CDC cholesterol guidelines
Cholesterol Classification Chart
| Cholesterol Type | Desirable / Optimal | Borderline / Moderate | High Risk / Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | Below 200 mg/dL | 200–239 mg/dL (Borderline High) | 240 mg/dL and above (High) |
| LDL — bad cholesterol | Below 100 mg/dL (Optimal) | 130–159 mg/dL (Borderline High) | 160 mg/dL and above (High) — below 70 for very high-risk patients |
| HDL — good cholesterol (higher is better) | 60 mg/dL and above (Protective) | 40–59 mg/dL men / 50–59 mg/dL women (Acceptable) | Below 40 mg/dL men or below 50 mg/dL women (Risk factor) |
| Triglycerides | Below 150 mg/dL (Normal) | 150–199 mg/dL (Borderline High) | 200–499 mg/dL (High) — 500 and above is Very High and requires urgent treatment |
Source: American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology 2023 guidelines
Average Cholesterol by Age — US Population Data
| Age Group | Average Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) | Average LDL (mg/dL) | Average HDL (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–29 years | 180 mg/dL | 105 mg/dL | 52 mg/dL |
| 30–39 years | 188 mg/dL | 116 mg/dL | 51 mg/dL |
| 40–49 years | 200 mg/dL | 124 mg/dL | 51 mg/dL |
| 50–59 years | 212 mg/dL | 131 mg/dL | 52 mg/dL |
| 60–69 years | 210 mg/dL | 128 mg/dL | 54 mg/dL |
| 70 and above | 205 mg/dL | 124 mg/dL | 55 mg/dL |
Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data
How to Lower Cholesterol — Evidence-Based Interventions
| Intervention | Typical LDL Reduction | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Replace saturated fat with unsaturated fat in the diet | 5–15% | 4–8 weeks |
| Eliminate trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils) | 5–10% | 4 weeks |
| Increase soluble fibre — oats, beans, psyllium husk (5–10g daily) | 5–15% | 4–12 weeks |
| Add plant sterols or stanols (2g per day in fortified foods) | 5–15% | 4 weeks |
| Regular aerobic exercise 30 minutes most days | 5–10% LDL reduction — more significant HDL increase | 8–12 weeks |
| Weight loss — every 10 lbs lost, approximately 5–8% LDL reduction | 5–8% per 10 lbs | Variable |
| Statins — low to moderate intensity | 30–50% | 4 weeks |
| Statins — high intensity (atorvastatin 40–80mg, rosuvastatin 20–40mg) | 50–55% | 4 weeks |
Source: AHA and ACC lifestyle and medication management guidelines
Cholesterol Level Checker
Enter total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to get a risk classification for each value, an overall cardiovascular risk score, and personalised dietary advice.
Enter all four values from your lipid panel to receive a risk classification for each number and an overall cardiovascular risk score.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal cholesterol level by age?
For adults of all ages the desirable total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL and LDL below 100 mg/dL. Children and teens should have total cholesterol below 170 mg/dL.
At what age should you start checking cholesterol?
The American Heart Association recommends a baseline lipid panel for all adults starting at age 20 and repeated every 4 to 6 years if results are normal. Children with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease should be screened between ages 9 and 11.
Does cholesterol increase with age?
Yes — average cholesterol levels tend to rise from young adulthood through the 50s. Post-menopausal women often see a notable rise in LDL after menopause due to reduced oestrogen which had previously provided some cardiovascular protection.
What is a dangerous cholesterol level?
Total cholesterol above 240 mg/dL and LDL above 160 mg/dL are classified as high risk. Triglycerides above 500 mg/dL are very high and can cause pancreatitis — requiring immediate medical treatment.
Is HDL cholesterol good or bad?
HDL is the good cholesterol — it carries cholesterol from the arteries back to the liver for removal. HDL above 60 mg/dL is considered protective. Below 40 for men or 50 for women is an independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Can diet alone lower cholesterol significantly?
Yes — lifestyle changes including eliminating trans fats, reducing saturated fat, increasing soluble fibre, and adding plant sterols can collectively reduce LDL by 20 to 30 percent. This is sufficient for many people with borderline high cholesterol to avoid medication.
What foods raise cholesterol the most?
Foods highest in saturated fat — red meat, full-fat dairy, coconut oil, and palm oil — raise LDL most significantly. Trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils found in some processed foods) also raise LDL while simultaneously lowering HDL.
What is a lipid panel?
A lipid panel is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides — the four values shown in the chart above. It requires fasting for 9 to 12 hours before the blood draw for accurate triglyceride and LDL measurements.