What amount should a person's total cholesterol reading be under?

What amount should a person's total cholesterol reading be under?

• A. 200-239 mg/dL
• B. < 200 mg/dL
• C. > 240 mg/dL
• D. No limit

Answer: (B)

A healthy target for total cholesterol is under 200 mg/dL. Total cholesterol combines the cholesterol carried by different lipoproteins in the blood, and lower levels generally mean a lower risk of plaque buildup in the arteries. Guidelines categorize levels as under 200 mg/dL (desirable), 200–239 mg/dL (borderline high), and 240 mg/dL or higher (high). While total cholesterol gives a general sense of risk, clinicians also consider the individual components (LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) and overall cardiovascular risk to tailor goals.

A healthy target for total cholesterol is under 200 mg/dL. Total cholesterol combines the cholesterol carried by different lipoproteins in the blood, and lower levels generally mean a lower risk of plaque buildup in the arteries. Guidelines categorize levels as under 200 mg/dL (desirable), 200–239 mg/dL (borderline high), and 240 mg/dL or higher (high). While total cholesterol gives a general sense of risk, clinicians also consider the individual components (LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) and overall cardiovascular risk to tailor goals.