Reaching Your Cholesterol Targets
LDL Cholesterol: How Low Should You Go?
At one time, a "desirable" blood level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the so-called "bad" cholesterol) was 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Today, information suggests the new "desirable" level should be half that. This has doctors and the rest of us wondering: how low should we go with LDL? ›
Stepping Up Your HDL Game
The surprising truth is that many people with low LDL levels (the "bad" cholesterol) still have heart attacks and strokes. So there is a good bit of interest in tinkering with HDL levels (the “good" cholesterol). Learn why a higher number is better than a lower one when it comes to HDL ›
The Truth About Triglycerides
Triglycerides are measured when you get a cholesterol test. High triglycerides increase the likelihood of developing heart disease even when cholesterol levels are normal, especially in postmenopausal women. Get the lowdown on lowering triglycerides, the “forgotten fat” ›
Treating High Cholesterol
Although healthy lifestyle changes are enough for some people to manage cholesterol, others need cholesterol-lowering medication. Read up on the 5 main types of cholesterol medications ›
Good Habits for Life
- Exercise Your Way to a Healthy Heart
- No One-Size-Fits-All Cholesterol Diet
- Turn High-Fat Recipes Into Low-Fat Dishes
Boosting your "good" HDL cholesterol isn't as easy as lowering LDL cholesterol, but there are a number of ways to make improvements. What to do about low HDL ›
You Might Also Like
9 Good Foods for Cholesterol
Raise Your HDL
Customized Cholesterol Care
Take the Cholesterol Quiz
Alternatives to StatinsReference: Cholesterol section on Better Medicine
Spotlight on Cholesterol Targets
Schedule a Health Checkup on Healthgrades
Expert Advice from Harvard Medical School
Did You Know?
View SourceAn HDL level less than 40 mg/dL is low and is considered a major risk factor because it increases your risk for developing heart disease.
