Cholesterol Levels Chart
The Cholesterol Levels Chart is a health reference tool covering cholesterol levels chart by age, cholesterol level chart by age, 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 Levels Chart — Complete Reference
| Cholesterol Type and Measurement | Desirable or Optimal | Borderline High | High Risk or Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) | Below 200 mg/dL — Desirable | 200–239 mg/dL — Borderline High | 240 mg/dL and above — High |
| LDL Cholesterol — bad cholesterol (mg/dL) | Below 100 mg/dL — Optimal (below 70 for very high-risk patients) | 130–159 mg/dL — Borderline High | 160 mg/dL and above — High |
| HDL Cholesterol — good cholesterol (mg/dL) 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 · below 50 mg/dL women — Risk factor |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | Below 150 mg/dL — Normal | 150–199 mg/dL — Borderline High | 200–499 mg/dL — High · 500+ mg/dL — Very High |
Source: American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology 2023 guidelines
Your Cholesterol Levels at a Glance
Enter your values to see where each reading falls on the scale.
Source: American Heart Association lipid panel reference ranges.
LDL Target by Cardiovascular Risk Level
LDL targets are not one-size-fits-all — patients with existing heart disease or diabetes have stricter LDL goals because their baseline risk is already elevated.
| Risk Category | LDL Target | Who This Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Very High Risk | Below 70 mg/dL — and consider reducing below 55 mg/dL | History of heart attack, stroke, unstable angina, coronary revascularisation, or diabetes with additional risk factors |
| High Risk | Below 100 mg/dL | Diabetes without complications, or high 10-year cardiovascular risk score |
| Moderate Risk | Below 130 mg/dL | 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors with moderate 10-year risk |
| Low Risk | Below 160 mg/dL | Zero or one cardiovascular risk factor |
Source: ACC/AHA Cholesterol Management Guidelines 2019
How to Lower Cholesterol — Key Interventions
| Intervention | Typical LDL Reduction | Timeframe to See Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet | 5–15% | 4–8 weeks |
| Eliminate trans fats completely | 5–10% | 4 weeks |
| Increase soluble fibre to 5–10 g per day (oats, beans, psyllium) | 5–15% | 4–12 weeks |
| Add 2 g per day of plant sterols or stanols | 5–15% | 4 weeks |
| Regular aerobic exercise 30 minutes most days | 5–10% LDL reduction — plus significant HDL increase | 8–12 weeks |
| Weight loss — every 10 lbs lost | 5–8% | Variable |
| Statins — low to moderate intensity (e.g. pravastatin 40 mg, simvastatin 20–40 mg) | 30–50% | 4 weeks |
| Statins — high intensity (atorvastatin 40–80 mg, rosuvastatin 20–40 mg) | 50% or more | 4 weeks |
Source: AHA/ACC lifestyle and statin therapy guidelines
Cholesterol Level Checker
Enter total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to receive a risk classification for each value and an overall cardiovascular risk score.
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?
A desirable total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL. LDL should be below 100 mg/dL (optimal) and HDL should be above 60 mg/dL (protective). Triglycerides below 150 mg/dL are normal.
What is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol from the liver to the arteries where it can build up as plaque — it is called bad cholesterol. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol away from the arteries back to the liver for processing — it is called good cholesterol.
What cholesterol level is dangerous?
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 — this level requires urgent medical treatment.
Can you lower cholesterol without medication?
Yes — lifestyle changes including reducing saturated fat, eliminating trans fats, increasing soluble fibre, adding plant sterols, and regular exercise can collectively reduce LDL by 20–25 percent. This is often sufficient for people with borderline-high cholesterol without existing cardiovascular disease.
How often should cholesterol be checked?
The American Heart Association recommends a lipid panel for all adults starting at age 20, repeated every 4–6 years if results are normal. Annual or more frequent testing is recommended if you have high cholesterol, are on cholesterol medication, or have other cardiovascular risk factors.
What foods raise LDL the most?
Foods high in saturated fat — red meat, full-fat dairy, coconut oil, and palm oil — raise LDL most significantly. Trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) raise LDL while simultaneously lowering HDL — a double negative effect.
Is a cholesterol of 200 good or bad?
Total cholesterol of exactly 200 mg/dL sits at the boundary between desirable (below 200) and borderline high (200–239). Whether it is concerning depends on the breakdown — if LDL is below 100 and HDL is above 60 the overall cardiovascular risk profile is favourable.
What is a lipid panel?
A lipid panel is a blood test measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides — the four values shown in the chart above. It requires 9–12 hours of fasting before the blood draw for accurate triglyceride and LDL calculations.