High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.

Lowering your blood cholesterol greatly reduces your risk. So, where do you draw the line? Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL):

Total Cholesterol	Desirable:	< 200
HDL, or "Good" Cholesterol	Optimal:	≥ 60
Fasting Triglycerides	Normal:	< 150
LDL, or "Bad" Cholesterol	Optimal:	< 100

For certain populations, controlling cholesterol and triglyceride levels is even more important. Changing your diet, beginning an exercise program, and taking cholesterol-lowering medicines are all ways to lower your cholesterol level. Consult with your doctor today!

Recently, new guidelines have been recommended for cholesterol testing in children and young adults. Doctors think that this early testing and control of cholesterol levels in childhood can help reduce the risk of heart disease in adulthood.

Learn all about cholesterol in our "Heart Smart" topics.

 

Should I take a statin? — response by Dr. Domingo Gonzalez, Jr.

 

Putting the puzzle together piece by piece . . .
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February is American Heart Month
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