What should ldl be

Men are generally at a higher risk than women for higher cholesterol. For those with high cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors, such as diabetes, more frequent testing is recommended. According to the guidelines on the management of blood cholesterol published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology JACC , these are the acceptable, borderline, and high measurements for adults.

Generally, guidelines are similar for men and women over the age of 20, though they differ when it comes to HDL cholesterol, as seen above. Women should aim for higher levels of HDL cholesterol. Children who are physically active , eat a nutrient-dense diet , are not overweight, and do not have a family history of high cholesterol are at a lower risk for having high cholesterol.

Current guidelines recommend that all children have their cholesterol checked between ages 9 and 11 years, and then again between ages 17 and 21 years. Children with more risk factors, such as having diabetes, obesity, or a family history of high cholesterol, should be checked between ages 2 and 8 years, and again between ages 12 and 16 years.

According to the JACC , the following are the recommended cholesterol levels for children:. Your doctor may recommend a plan of treatment for high cholesterol that includes lifestyle modifications and potentially medication. This will vary based on factors like other medications you may be taking, your age, sex, and general health.

Medications can also be used to treat contributing factors to cholesterol like triglycerides. These may be used in addition to some of the medications above. The good news is that lifestyle changes are reasonably effective in helping you reduce cholesterol levels. There are few noticeable symptoms of high cholesterol. Emergency symptoms such as a stroke or heart attack may be the only indicator of damage from high cholesterol.

This means that regular monitoring by a doctor is essential. Most people should get their cholesterol checked with a blood test every 4 to 6 years.

Your doctor may recommend more frequent screening if you live with any of the following:. Read this article in Spanish. Additionally, the TLC diet suggests only taking in enough calories to maintain a desirable weight and avoid weight gain.

Various books on the TLC diet are available to purchase online , and may help those interested in following the diet plan to lower cholesterol. Proper weight management is another essential part of lowering cholesterol and preventing it building up.

Overweight people who reduce their weight can help lower LDL in the process. Regular physical activity of 30 minutes on most days is recommended for everyone. This will also help with weight management, which in turn helps with lowering cholesterol. When these steps are not enough, drug treatment may also be needed.

There are several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs available, including:. The best treatment to lower cholesterol levels involves a range of different methods, including lifestyle and diet. Ultimately, a doctor is the best person to talk to in order to figure out the best way for a person to lower bad cholesterol levels. Ceramides are fatty molecules health experts associate with heart disease.

A review argues scientists should focus on designing drugs to lower…. People can lower their cholesterol levels by making lasting changes to their diet and lifestyle.

Learn more. Familial hypercholesterolemia FH is an inherited condition that can cause a person to have high levels of LDL, or 'bad', cholesterol. Learn more…. In this edition of Medical Myths, we delve into nine misconceptions associated with one of the most famous fatty substances on earth — cholesterol. What should my cholesterol level be at my age? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.

Levels and age Recommended levels Tips Seeing a doctor Treatment options We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Cholesterol levels and age. Recommended levels. Seeing a doctor. Before the test, you'll need to fast not eat or drink anything but water for 9 to 12 hours. The test gives information about your. Here are the healthy levels of cholesterol, based on your age and gender:.

Triglycerides are not a type of cholesterol, but they are part of a lipoprotein panel the test that measures cholesterol levels. When and how often you should get a cholesterol test depends on your age, risk factors, and family history. The general recommendations are:. A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels.

These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:. There are two main ways to lower your cholesterol :. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is cholesterol? How do you measure cholesterol levels?

The test gives information about your Total cholesterol - a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. Triglycerides - another form of fat in your blood that can raise your risk for heart disease, especially in women What do my cholesterol numbers mean?

How often should I get a cholesterol test? The general recommendations are: For people who are age 19 or younger: The first test should be between ages 9 to 11 Children should have the test again every 5 years Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke For people who are age 20 or older: Younger adults should have the test every 5 years Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years What affects my cholesterol levels?

These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels: Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level rise. Saturated fat is the main problem, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level.