Lipid | Desirable Level |
---|---|
Total cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L)† |
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol | Less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) |
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol | More than 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) |
Triglycerides | Less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) |
* These levels are a suggested guideline. Some people may need treatment even if their lipids are at these levels if they have risk factors or diseases such as coronary artery disease Overview of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more or stroke Overview of Stroke A stroke occurs when an artery to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures, resulting in death of an area of brain tissue due to loss of its blood supply (cerebral infarction). Symptoms occur suddenly... read more . | |
† mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter of blood; mmol/L = millimoles per liter of blood. |