194 cholesterol. Cholesterol Levels: Understanding the Healthy Ranges, Causes of High Cholesterol, and Effective Tips for Management

28.06.202326.06.2023 by alexxlab

What are the healthy cholesterol levels for adults and children? What is considered high cholesterol and what factors can contribute to it? Get the answers and practical tips for maintaining optimal cholesterol levels.

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Understanding Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the blood, and it plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol.

Maintaining a healthy balance of these cholesterol types is essential for overall cardiovascular health. When there is too much LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, it can build up in the blood vessels, forming fatty deposits called plaques. This can lead to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Cholesterol Levels by Age and Gender

Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age, and they can also vary by gender. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the healthy cholesterol levels for different age groups and genders are as follows:

Anyone 19 or younger:
- Total cholesterol: less than 170 mg/dl
- Non-HDL: less than 120 mg/dl
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dl
- HDL: more than 45 mg/dl
Men aged 20 or over:
- Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dl
- Non-HDL: less than 130 mg/dl
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dl
- HDL: 40 mg/dl or higher
Women aged 20 or over:
- Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dl
- Non-HDL: less than 130 mg/dl
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dl
- HDL: 50 mg/dl or higher

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and individual factors such as overall health, family history, and lifestyle choices can influence a person’s optimal cholesterol levels.

What is Considered High Cholesterol?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dl or higher is considered high for adults. The specific ranges for high cholesterol are as follows:

Total cholesterol:
- Healthy: less than 200 mg/dl
- Borderline high: 200-239 mg/dl
- High: 240 mg/dl or higher
LDL cholesterol:
- Optimal: less than 100 mg/dl
- Near optimal/above optimal: 100-129 mg/dl
- Borderline high: 130-159 mg/dl
- High: 160-189 mg/dl
- Very high: 190 mg/dl or higher
HDL cholesterol:
- Optimal: 60 mg/dl or higher
- Borderline low: 41-59 mg/dl
- Low: less than 40 mg/dl

For children, the American Academy of Pediatrics considers total cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dl or higher to be high, with a borderline high range of 170-199 mg/dl.

Factors that Contribute to High Cholesterol

According to the CDC, several health conditions and lifestyle factors can contribute to high cholesterol levels, including:

Type 2 diabetes
Familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol)
A diet high in saturated fats
Lack of physical activity
Smoking
Obesity
Genetics and family history of high cholesterol

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends the following strategies for lowering and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels:

Adopt a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Engage in regular physical activity, such as at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
Quit smoking, if applicable.
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Manage stress effectively.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, some individuals may also require medication, such as statins, to help lower their cholesterol levels. It’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for maintaining optimal cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Monitoring Cholesterol Levels

The CDC recommends that adults aged 20 and over have their cholesterol levels checked every 5 years, or more frequently if they have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Children may only need to have their cholesterol levels checked twice before they turn 18, unless they have risk factors that warrant more frequent monitoring.

Regular cholesterol screening and proactive management of any high or concerning levels can help individuals maintain optimal heart health and reduce their risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Health ranges, what is high, and tips

Cholesterol levels vary by age, weight, and sex. These levels typically increase with age, and people over 20 should check their cholesterol levels every 5 years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that nearly 94 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol. This increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke.

In this article, we explain how doctors measure cholesterol, and we describe the healthy levels at different stages of life. We also look at ways of lowering cholesterol and maintaining healthy levels.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance, and there are two types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

If there is too much LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol in the bloodstream, it can build up in blood vessels, forming fatty deposits called plaques.These plaques can lead to other problems, including heart attacks and strokes.

Total and LDL cholesterol levels should be low. But having more HDL, or “good,” cholesterol in the blood may reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Doctors can measure HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels. The results may also show levels of all non-HDL fats that can raise the risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age. Taking steps to reach or maintain healthy levels earlier in life may prevent them from becoming dangerously high over time. Years of unmanaged cholesterol levels can be challenging to treat.

The CDC recommends that people aged 20 or over check their cholesterol levels every 5 years, or more frequently if they have other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Children are less likely to have high cholesterol, and doctors may only need to check their levels twice before they turn 18 years old.

However, kids with risk factors for high cholesterol should have their levels checked more frequently.

Typically, males tend to have higher levels throughout their lives than females. A male’s cholesterol levels increase with age, and a female’s cholesterol levels rise after menopause.

The table below shows healthy levels of cholesterol by age, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Doctors measure cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).

Type of cholesterol	Anyone 19 or younger	Men aged 20 or over	Women aged 20 or over
total cholesterol	less than 170 mg/dl	125–200 mg/dl	125–200 mg/dl
non-HDL	less than 120 mg/dl	less than 130 mg/dl	less than 130 mg/dl
LDL	less than 100 mg/dl	less than 100 mg/dl	less than 100 mg/dl
HDL	more than 45 mg/dl	40 mg/dl or higher	50 mg/dl or higher

Aging aside, any changes in cholesterol levels usually stem from health conditions and lifestyle factors.

Below, we describe healthy and unhealthy ranges in more detail.

Cholesterol levels for adults

A doctor may classify a person’s levels as high or low, borderline, or healthy.

Total cholesterol

Total cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl are healthy for adults.

Doctors treat readings of 200–239 mg/dl as borderline high, and readings of at least 240 mg/dl as high.

LDL cholesterol

Ideally, LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dl. Doctors may not express concern about levels of 100–129 mg/dl for people with no health issues, but they may suggest treatment at this stage for people with heart disease or its risk factors.

If a person’s reading is 130–159 mg/dl, it is borderline high, while readings of 160–189 mg/dl are high. A reading of at least 190 mg/dl is very high.

HDL cholesterol

Doctors recommend keeping HDL levels higher. People with a reading of less than 40 mg/dl may have a risk of heart disease.

If a person’s reading is 41–59 mg/dl, doctors consider this borderline low. Optimal HDL levels are 60 mg/dl or higher.

Cholesterol levels for children

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should have total cholesterol readings of under 170 mg/dl.

The borderline high range is 170–199 mg/dl, and a reading of 200 mg/dl or over is high.

LDL cholesterol levels should be under 110 mg/dl. The borderline high range is 110–129 mg/dl, and any reading over 130 mg/dl is high.

Other factors that affect blood cholesterol

The CDC point outs that some health conditions and lifestyle factors can raise cholesterol levels. It says that type 2 diabetes, for example, raises LDL cholesterol levels, as does familial hypercholesterolemia.

The CDC also states that having a diet high in saturated fats and getting low levels of exercise may contribute to high cholesterol levels.

In addition, it acknowledges that having family members with high cholesterol increases a person’s risk.

The NIH recommends these strategies for lowering cholesterol levels:

having a diet rich in heart-healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
becoming more physically active
quitting smoking, if this applies
having a moderate weight
managing stress

The NIH recommends consulting a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise plan, but overall, it advises a person to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Having a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can also bring down high cholesterol levels in children.

Generally, the earlier a person starts making these changes, the better for their cholesterol levels, as cholesterol builds up over time.

High cholesterol at any age increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. These risks only increase over time.

Drug therapies to treat high cholesterol

When lifestyle changes alone cannot bring down high cholesterol, doctors may recommend medications. The CDC reports that the following drugs and supplements can help:

Statins: These drugs keep the liver from producing cholesterol.
Bile acid sequestrants: These drugs reduce the amount of fat that the body absorbs from food.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: These drugs lower levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood and reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food.
Some vitamins and supplements: These, such as niacin, stop the liver from removing HDL and lower levels of triglycerides.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These raise HDL levels and lower triglyceride levels.

Before the age of 18, a doctor should check a child’s cholesterol levels at least twice. If the child’s family has a history of heart disease, overweight, or certain other health conditions, doctors may recommend checking levels more often.

A healthcare professional should check cholesterol levels in adults aged 20 or older every 4–6 years.

The doctor may recommend treatment if:

The results show high or borderline high levels of total and LDL cholesterol.
The person is overweight.
The person has a family history of heart disease.

Cholesterol levels increase with age, and having high cholesterol at any age increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Reaching or maintaining healthy levels may involve lifestyle changes, and if these are not enough, prescription medication.

A doctor should check cholesterol levels in adults, starting at the age of 20, every 4–6 years.