Cholesterol and Heart Health: What Your Numbers Mean

What do the numbers on a lipid panel mean?

A cholesterol test (lipid panel) reports total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL is generally considered desirable. LDL under 100 mg/dL is considered optimal, and HDL (the good cholesterol) of 60 mg/dL or higher is protective. These numbers are interpreted together, along with your age, blood pressure, smoking history, and diabetes status, because your overall risk is what drives treatment decisions.

• Total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is generally desirable.
• LDL below 100 mg/dL is considered optimal.
• HDL of 60 mg/dL or higher is protective.
• Triglycerides under 150 mg/dL are considered normal.

When should I get my cholesterol checked?

The 2018 ACC/AHA guideline recommends a cholesterol check starting around age 20 and repeat testing at least every four to six years in low-risk adults. Testing may begin earlier or happen more often if you have heart disease, diabetes, a family history of early heart disease, or other risk factors. Because high cholesterol causes no symptoms, many people are diagnosed only when a test is done.

Is high cholesterol always treated with medication?

No. Treatment is based on your overall cardiovascular risk, not a single number. For many people, lifestyle change comes first: a heart-healthy diet, regular activity, weight management, and not smoking. Statins and other medications are considered when LDL levels are high or when a person's overall risk is high enough that medication meaningfully reduces the chance of heart attack or stroke. Your provider should explain your risk and the reasoning behind any recommendation.

• Lifestyle change is the foundation of cholesterol management.
• Medication decisions follow an overall risk assessment.
• Risk calculators combine cholesterol with age, blood pressure, and other factors.
• Diabetes and known heart disease lower the threshold for treatment.

What raises LDL cholesterol?

Diet plays a role: saturated fat, found in fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy, and fried foods, can raise LDL cholesterol. Genetics matter too, and some people have high cholesterol despite a careful diet. Other factors, including weight, inactivity, and certain medical conditions such as an underactive thyroid, can affect cholesterol levels. A visit is the way to sort out which factors apply to you.

How does primary care help manage cholesterol?

Managing cholesterol is a core part of primary care. TruHealth can order the right tests, calculate your cardiovascular risk, start with lifestyle counseling, prescribe medication when guidelines support it, and monitor your progress over time. If you have not had a lipid panel recently, it can often be added to a routine visit.