Good Cholesterol vs. Bad Cholesterol: What Your Numbers Really Mean
LDL: The ‘Bad’ Cholesterol
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) carries cholesterol to cells. When LDL is oxidized, it can deposit in arterial walls, forming plaques. Optimal: <100 mg/dL. Near optimal: 100–129. Borderline high: 130–159. High: 160–189. Very high: >190.
HDL: The ‘Good’ Cholesterol
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) carries cholesterol back to the liver for removal. Higher is better. Optimal: >60 mg/dL (protective). Low: <40 mg/dL for men, <50 for women (risk factor). Very high HDL (>100 mg/dL) may indicate certain metabolic conditions — not always protective.
Triglycerides: The Forgotten Number
Triglycerides are fats in the blood. High triglycerides (>150 mg/dL) are strongly associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Normal: <150 mg/dL. Borderline high: 150–199. High: 200–499. Very high: >500 (pancreatitis risk). Triglycerides drop dramatically with reduced sugar/refined carb intake and increased aerobic exercise.
Total Cholesterol to HDL Ratio
TC/HDL ratio is a simple but powerful predictor: <3.5 is excellent. 3.5–5 is average. >5 is elevated risk. The Framingham risk model — which Cholesterol Calculator uses — incorporates TC, HDL, blood pressure, and age to estimate 10-year cardiovascular event probability.
Frequently Asked Questions
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