Total cholesterol levels should be lower than 5.5 mmol/L, if you have no other risk factors. If you have cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, pre-existing cardiovascular (heart) disease or diabetes, or you smoke, the aim for LDL cholesterol levels would be less than 2 mmol/L.
Blood cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood, often shortened to mmol/L. As a general guide, total cholesterol levels should be: 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults. 4mmol/L or less for those at high risk.
High cholesterol levels are considered: too high: between 5 and 6.4mmol/l. very high: between 6.5 and 7.8mmol/l.
If your total cholesterol level is between 5.2 and 6.1mmol/L, you are at a higher risk for coronary artery disease. If your total cholesterol level registers at 6.2 mmol/L and above, you have hypercholesterolaemia, which is attributable to genetic factors, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and poor eating habits.
Very high if they are 5.65 mmol/L (500 mg/dL) or higher.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
After having their cholesterol tested, seniors should be given a number between 190 and 260. Healthy seniors should keep their total cholesterol below 200 and their LDL cholesterol around 100. If your elderly loved one's LDL cholesterol level is above 160, he or she must start making sweeping lifestyle changes.
Normal - less than 1.69 mmol/L (150 mg/dL) Borderline high – Level between 1.69 to 2.25 mmol/L (150 to 199 mg/dL) High – Level between 2.25 to 5.63 mmol/L (200 to 499 mg/dL) Very high – Level higher than 5.65 mmol/L (500 mg/dL)
Total cholesterol: less than 5.2 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) Is ideal and more than 6.2 mmol/L is considered high.
If your risk is very low, you probably won't need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L). If your risk is very high — for example, you've had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don't have high cholesterol.
What cholesterol levels are considered normal in Australia? The recommended blood cholesterol targets rely on a number of factors that are based on your personal risk. For the general healthy population, a total cholesterol of less than 5.5 mmol/L, LDL less than 2.0mmol/L and HDL of greater than 1.0 mmol/L is advised.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the "bad cholesterol" in terms of its potential for harming the heart and brain. It is a major contributor to arterial plaque development. Levels of LDL cholesterol higher than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke.
Healthy cholesterol levels for seniors are below 200 mg/dl (total cholesterol), including an HDL (good) cholesterol level of more than 40 mg/dl for men, 50mg/dl for women, and an LDL (bad) cholesterol level of less than 100 mg/dl.
Elevated cholesterol levels are not uncommon in the elderly (61% of women aged between 65 and 74 have total cholesterol levels over 6.2 mmol/L [240 mg/dL]).
It's best to keep your total cholesterol level below 200. Women of any age should have an HDL level of 40 or higher. If you already have heart disease or diabetes, or your doctor estimates that your 10-year risk of heart disease is 20 percent or higher, try to keep your LDL level below 100.
When the body is dehydrated, the blood becomes acidic which can lead to a build-up in LDL levels of cholesterol. Drinking plenty of water will keep your blood ways clean and eliminate the excess buildup of cholesterol waste from the body.
While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body's production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.
You develop symptoms of heart disease, stroke, or atherosclerosis in other blood vessels, such as left-sided chest pain, pressure, or fullness; dizziness; unsteady gait; slurred speech; or pain in the lower legs. Any of these conditions may be linked to high cholesterol, and each requires medical help right away.
If your total cholesterol level is 200 to 239, you have a borderline level. The word “borderline” is used because levels of 200 to 239 are close to being high. A total cholesterol of 240 or above is a high level. If your LDL level is 130 to 159, you have a borderline level.