How Do You Read The Cholesterol Chart?
Reading your cholesterol chart may seem like reading another language. Knowing what your numbers mean will help translate the terminology to words that actually relate to your knowledge about health. Learning the differences between your triglycerides, HDL and LDL, and the numbers that are associated with them will better help you understand what is happening within your own body. Find your HDL number. This is your high density lipoprotein number and is your “good” cholesterol. You want your HDL number to fall at 40 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter) or above. High HDL is associated with a low risk for cardiovascular disease. Find your LDL cholesterol number. This is considered your “bad” cholesterol (low density lipoproteins). This number is best kept at 100 mg/dL or less. Find your triglyceride number. This indicates the amount of fat circulating in your blood. You typically want to keep this number fairly low. This number should be lower than 150 mg/dL to be considered normal. Having h
