Total Blood Cholesterol

Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. The higher your total cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart disease. Here are the total values that matter to you.

• Less than 200 mg/dL: “Desirable” level that puts you at lower risk for heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or greater increases your risk.

• 200 to 239 mg/dL: “Borderline-high”

• 240 mg/dL and above: “High” blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice than risk of heart disease compared to someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL

Note: These categories apply to adults age 20 and above.

Resource:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute