Blood cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood, or mmol/L. As a rough guide, the total levels should be: 5 mmol/L or less for healthy adults. 4 mmol/L or less for those at high risk. LDL levels should be: 3 mmol/L or less for healthy adults. 2 mmol/L or less for those at high risk. High cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol in your blood. There are many things that can cause this. If you don't take steps to lower high cholesterol, it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke . Find out more about the types of cholesterol. What causes high cholesterol? Anyone can develop high cholesterol. High Cholesterol HDL and LDL Cholesterol Range by Age For adults, 125-200 mg/dL total cholesterol is a normal range By Barbie Cervoni, RD Updated on July 09, 2023 Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Table of Contents Types of Cholesterol Levels by Age Getting Tested Risk Factors Lowering Cholesterol Total cholesterol represents the combined amount of "bad" cholesterol (low-density, or LDL) and "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) in your blood. The measurement is then compared to your individual HDL result to gauge your risk for heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. It's mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also run in families. You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Too much cholesterol in the body can clog arteries. Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. Your risk for heart attack and stroke increases with higher cholesterol levels. Other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and family history of heart disease or stroke. Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers. Diet can play an important role in lowering your cholesterol. Here are some foods to improve your cholesterol and protect your heart. By Mayo Clinic Staff Cholesterol is a fatty substance your liver makes that can be bad or good for your heart health. Learn the recommended cholesterol levels by age, sex, and risk factors, as well as the treatment options and lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol. Find out the difference between LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and more. High blood pressure and high LDL (or "bad") cholesterol that is linked to genetics increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease throughout life, a new study reports. In addition Summary Cholesterol levels vary by age, weight, and sex. They typically increase over time, and people over 20 should check their cholesterol levels every 5 years. The Centers for Disease AAdtA.

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