About Cholesterol (CDC)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) · Published: August 24, 2026 · Accessed: August 24, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Optimal cholesterol levels: total cholesterol about 150 mg/dL, LDL ('bad') about 100 mg/dL, HDL ('good') at least 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women, triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL.
• A total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL may be considered high (hyperlipidemia).
• High LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries and result in heart disease or stroke.
• A cholesterol check (lipid panel or lipid profile) usually checks LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
• High cholesterol typically has no symptoms; millions of people in the US have it and don't know.