Total cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol measured in a
person's blood. This total includes high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol,
which is sometimes called the 'good cholesterol,' and low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol, sometimes called the 'bad cholesterol.'
Cholesterol is measured either in milligrams per deciliter of blood
(mg/dL) or in millimoles per liter of blood (mmol/L).
- A total cholesterol level of less than 200
mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is desirable.
- 200 to 239 mg/dL (5.17 to 6.18
mmol/L) is considered borderline high cholesterol.
- 240 mg/dL (6.21
mmol/L) or higher is considered high cholesterol.
The ratio of total cholesterol to 'good' (HDL) cholesterol is also
important, especially if total cholesterol is high.
