Cholesterol level

CHOLESTEROL

Your liver produces approximately 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol each day. This waxy substance helps your body produce hormones and vitamins and assists in the digestion of fats. You add cholesterol to your system by eating it in the form of animal fats such as egg yolks, milk, meat and cheese. Too much cholesterol from animal sources puts you at risk of serious health problems such as heart attack and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. When your doctor tests your total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, and triglyceride levels, the results are expressed as milligrams per deciliter, commonly written as mg/dL.

Total Cholesterol Level	Category
Less than 200 mg/dL	Desirable
200-239 mg/dL	Borderline High
240 mg/dL and above	High

HDL

High-density lipoproteins, or HDLs, bind with cholesterol to move it out of the blood and into the liver. The cholesterol is then processed by the liver and removed from the body. The American Heart Association says you should have an HDL level of 50 mg/dL or higher if you are an adult male and 60 mg/dL or higher if you are an adult female. If your HDL numbers are below these levels, the cholesterol in your bloodstream will be trapped and could lead to narrowed and clogged arteries.

LDL

Low-density lipoproteins, or LDLs, bind to cholesterol and deliver it to the arteries. If your LDL levels are too high, cholesterol becomes wedged in the artery walls and turns into plaque. This plaque can increase until the artery is blocked or can break free as a clot. When a clot moves toward the heart or brain, you can experience heart attack or stroke. Your LDL levels should be under 130 mg/dL, according to the American Heart Association.

TRIGLYCERIDES

Blood fats are called triglycerides. They are manufactured by the body when there is an excess of carbohydrates in the bloodstream. These fats float around in your blood, making it thick. Eventually, your blood cannot flow easily and arteries and veins can become thick and narrow. Your triglyceride levels should be under 150 mg/dL, according to the American Heart Association.