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Cholesterol Test (cont.)
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- High cholesterol facts
- What is cholesterol?
- What does a cholesterol test measure?
- How do I prepare for a cholesterol test?
- Do I need to call my doctor for my test results?
- How do I interpret my cholesterol test results?
- Find a local Doctor in your town
How do I interpret my cholesterol test results?
Cholesterol levels are but one of the risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. It is important to control cholesterol levels to minimize risk just as it is important to control diabetes, high blood pressure, and avoid smoking.
Guidelines for cholesterol levels have been developed by many health organizations including the American Heart Association. It is important to remember that tests may need to be repeated over time to help monitor treatment and disease risk prevention.
| Total cholesterol |
| Less than 200 mg/dL: desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL: borderline high risk |
| 240 and over: high risk |
| HDL (high density lipoprotein) |
| Less than 40 mg/dL (men), less than 50 mg/dL (women): increased risk of heart disease |
| Greater than 60mg/dL: some protection against heart disease |
| LDL (low density lipoprotein) |
| 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 above: very high |
|
Triglycerides |
| Less than n150 mg/dL: normal |
| 150-199 mg/dL: borderline to high |
| 200-499mg/dL: high |
| Above 500 mg/dL: very high |
REFERENCE:
American Heart Association. What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean.
Last Editorial Review: 9/12/2011 6:25:31 PM
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