Key Stats
1. Today, about a quarter of all American women have blood cholesterol levels high enough to pose a serious risk for heart disease. More than half of women over age 55 need to lower their blood cholesterol.
2. All women should begin blood cholesterol testing at age 20 and the testing should be repeated every five years, or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease.
3. An LDL cholesterol level of less than 100 mg/dL is considered optimal.
4. A healthy diet, healthy weight and regular exercise can all protect against heart disease and high cholesterol levels, while your age (over 55 for women) and family history may increase your risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.
5. A desirable total cholesterol level for adults without heart disease is less than 200 mg/dL. An HDL cholesterol level of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease, while a level less than 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
6. If you have heart disease, an LDL level (the "bad" cholesterol) above 100 mg/dL is considered high and you and your health care professional will want to identify the next steps to bring your LDL-cholesterol level into a desirable range. Exercise, diet modification and medication all may be considered.
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