Blood Cholesterol Level Chart and Healthy Risk Ranges
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 1 Dec 2017 - Updated: 30 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information resource provides a practical reference guide for understanding blood cholesterol measurements and their implications for cardiovascular health. Drawing from National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines and American Heart Association recommendations, it presents clear numerical ranges that define normal, borderline, and high-risk cholesterol levels across multiple categories including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (bad cholesterol), and HDL (good cholesterol). The article proves particularly valuable for individuals managing chronic health conditions, seniors monitoring heart disease risk factors, and people with disabilities who may face additional cardiovascular challenges due to reduced mobility or medication interactions. By explaining the distinction between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol, clarifying how different types of fats affect cholesterol levels, and outlining testing frequency recommendations, this resource gives readers the foundational knowledge needed to have informed discussions with their healthcare providers about cholesterol management and heart disease prevention.
At a Glance
- 1 - Cholesterol is insoluble in blood and travels through the circulatory system inside lipoproteins. These range in size from chylomicrons and VLDL down to LDL and HDL.
- 2 - About 80 percent of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver, with the rest coming from food. Meats, eggs, and dairy products are common dietary sources.
- 3 - The type of fat you eat matters more than the cholesterol content of your food. Swapping saturated and trans fats for monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats lowers disease risk.
- 4 - A cholesterol blood test usually requires fasting for 12 hours beforehand for accurate results. The sample is sent to a laboratory to measure milligrams of cholesterol in the blood.
Topic Definition
- Blood Cholesterol
Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that circulates naturally throughout the human body, where it supports essential functions such as maintaining proper cell membrane structure and fluidity. The body produces most of it in the liver, while the remainder comes from foods like meat, eggs, and dairy. Although cholesterol is necessary for good health, having too much of it in the bloodstream can be harmful, because excess cholesterol clings to artery walls and forms plaque that gradually narrows or blocks the arteries. When this buildup restricts blood flow to the heart or brain, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Because cholesterol does not dissolve in blood, it is carried through the circulatory system by lipoproteins, chiefly LDL, often called bad cholesterol, and HDL, known as good cholesterol. Doctors measure these levels with a simple blood test and compare the results against established ranges to gauge a person's cardiovascular risk.
Overview
What Exactly is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is defined as a waxy alcohol, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all areas of the human body. Your body needs some cholesterol to help it work properly and is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity.
If you have an excess of cholesterol in your blood it can stick to the walls of your arteries. When cholesterol adheres to the artery walls it is called plaque. Plaque will gradually narrow your arteries and can even block them completely. If an artery that supplies blood to the muscles in your heart becomes blocked, a heart attack can occur. If an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked, a stroke can occur.
More that a million Americans die of heart disease each year. One of the major causes is high cholesterol levels in the blood. The National Cholesterol Education Program suggests that total blood cholesterol level should be:
- < 200 mg/dL normal blood cholesterol
- 200-239 mg/dL borderline-high
- > 240 mg/dL high cholesterol
This blood cholesterol chart shows what your blood cholesterol levels should be and includes low and high cholesterol level measurements - (See below for printable cholesterol level chart).
| Blood Cholesterol Level Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Desirable | Borderline (high) | High Risk | |
| Total Cholesterol | < 200 | 200-240 | > 240 |
| Triglycerides | < 150 | 150-500 | > 500 |
| Low Density Cholesterol | < 130 | 130-160 | >160 |
| High Density Cholesterol | > 50 | 50-35 | < 35 |
Eighty-percent of the cholesterol in your body is produced by your liver, and the rest comes from foods like meats, eggs and dairy products. The biggest influence on blood cholesterol level is fats in your diet, not the amount of cholesterol you eat from food. Narrowing it down further what really matters is the "type" of fat you eat.
Their are two types of fats, "good fat" which are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, lower your risk of disease such as heart disease and atherosclerosis. "Bad fats" being saturated and trans fats will increase the risk for certain diseases. The key to healthy eating is to substitute the bad fats for good fats avoiding the trans fats. See: Guide to Good and Bad Cholesterol. Major dietary sources containing high cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp.
Cholesterol is insoluble in blood and is transported in the body's circulatory system within lipoproteins. There is a large range of lipoproteins within blood, generally called, from larger to smaller size: chylomicrons, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). The actual cholesterol within all the various lipoproteins is identical.
- LDL = bad cholesterol
- HDL = good cholesterol
How is Cholesterol Measured?
The measurement of your blood cholesterol level and other blood fats is obtained with a simple blood test by your doctor. You will be advised to fast (not eat) for 12 hours before the blood test is performed. Blood is then taken and sent to a laboratory, where the number of milligrams of cholesterol in the blood is determined. Your doctor will then provide you with the test results in accordance with their medical cholesterol level chart.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults aim for a total cholesterol level below 200 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood serum.
Testing Cholesterol Levels in the Blood - How often Should You be Tested?
It is recommended by the American Heart Association to test cholesterol every 5 years for people aged 20 years or older.
Cholesterol level testing should be more frequent if a person: is a man over age 45 or a woman over age 50, has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or more, has HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL, or is at risk of heart disease and stroke.
Reducing Cholesterol Level
If you have had your cholesterol level tested and according to the doctors cholesterol chart you are told you have high blood cholesterol you should look at ways of lowering your cholesterol levels including jogging, walking and any activity that concerns exercising more, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, and cholesterol lowering medication.
It has been said that Yoga may reduce the effect of cholesterol in your body.
Research has also shown that flaxseed and niacin have been proven to lower cholesterol.
Red rice extract has also shown that it has cholesterol lowering properties.
Lately a new natural product on the market called red marine algae has been claimed to be an effective means of reducing the cholesterol levels in the blood.
Printable Cholesterol Level Chart:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children have high cholesterol
Yes, children can develop high cholesterol, especially when there is a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol. Many guidelines suggest screening children between the ages of 9 and 11 and again between 17 and 21.
Does high cholesterol cause any symptoms
High cholesterol usually causes no noticeable symptoms on its own, which is why it is often called a silent condition. A blood test is the only reliable way to know if your levels are elevated.
What is the difference between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol
Dietary cholesterol is the cholesterol found in the foods you eat, while blood cholesterol is the amount circulating in your bloodstream. For most people the fats in the diet influence blood cholesterol more than the cholesterol they consume.
Can you lower cholesterol without medication
Many people can lower cholesterol through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, eating more fruits and vegetables, and reducing saturated and trans fats. Medication may still be needed when lifestyle changes alone are not enough.
Is high cholesterol hereditary
Cholesterol levels can be inherited through a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia. People with this genetic condition may have very high levels even with a healthy lifestyle.
How long does it take to lower cholesterol
With consistent lifestyle changes some people see improvements in cholesterol within a few weeks to a few months. The timeline varies based on diet, activity level, genetics, and whether medication is used.
Are eggs bad for cholesterol
Eggs contain dietary cholesterol in the yolk, but for most people they have a modest effect on blood cholesterol. Overall dietary patterns and the types of fat consumed tend to matter more than eggs alone.
What is considered a dangerously high cholesterol level
A total cholesterol level above 240 mg/dL is generally classified as high and carries increased cardiovascular risk. Triglyceride levels above 500 mg/dL and LDL above 160 mg/dL are also considered high risk.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While cholesterol numbers can seem like just another set of medical statistics to memorize, they represent something far more tangible: a window into how well your cardiovascular system is functioning right now. The beauty of cholesterol management lies in its responsiveness - unlike genetic conditions that can't be changed, cholesterol levels often improve dramatically with lifestyle modifications that many people can implement regardless of physical ability. Whether you're walking, swimming, using adaptive exercise equipment, or simply making smarter choices at the grocery store by swapping saturated fats for healthier alternatives, small consistent changes compound over time. The real power of understanding these numbers isn't in achieving some arbitrary perfect score, but in recognizing that you have agency over a major risk factor for the leading cause of death in America, and that knowledge, applied thoughtfully and consistently, can add both years to your life and life to your years.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.