High cholesterol is linked to blood clots and a higher risk of stroke. Research shows lowering cholesterol can lower the risk of another stroke by about 20%. National Stroke Guidelines strongly recommend taking medication to lower LDL cholesterol to under 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL).
Levels of LDL cholesterol higher than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke.
High cholesterol levels are considered: too high: between 5 and 6.4mmol/l. very high: between 6.5 and 7.8mmol/l. extremely high: above 7.8mmol/l.
A person is considered at high risk for developing heart disease if their total cholesterol level is higher than 240 mg/dL, LDL levels are higher than 160 mg/dL (190 mg/dL is even higher risk), and if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL.
As a general guide, total cholesterol levels should be: 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults. 4mmol/L or less for those at high risk.
Your total cholesterol figure divided by the HDL-C figure
The lower this figure, the better. Ideally 4.5, while above 6 is considered high risk.
In general: The higher the ratio, the higher the risk. Most healthcare providers want the ratio to be below 5:1. A ratio below 3.5:1 is considered very good.
Total Cholesterol: <4.0 mmol/L (Individuals at high risk) <5.5 mmol/L (General population) Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL): < 1.8mmol/L (Individuals at high risk) < 2.0 mmol/L (General population)
National Stroke Guidelines strongly recommend taking medication to lower LDL cholesterol to under 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL).
A total cholesterol level of 7 mmol/L (271 mg/dL) is considered high. Although cholesterol has several essential roles in the body, high cholesterol puts you at greater risk for heart disease.
Levels between 70 and 189 mg/dL (3.9 and 10.5 mmol/l) are most often considered too high if: You have diabetes and are between ages 40 and 75. You have diabetes and a high risk of heart disease. You have a medium or high risk of heart disease.
High LDL ("bad cholesterol"), low HDL ("good cholesterol"), and high triglycerides can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Statins are among the safest and most studied medications. Statins save lives and prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Too much cholesterol (200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL is borderline high and 240 mg/dL is high) isn't healthy because it can create roadblocks in your artery highways where blood travels around to your body. This damages your organs that don't receive enough blood from your arteries.
Your LDL cholesterol number is: Optimal if it is less than 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) Near optimal/above optimal if it is 2.6 3.3 mmol/L (100-129 mg/dL) Borderline high if it is 3.4 4.1 mmol/L (130-159 mg/dL)
Total cholesterol levels should be lower than 5.5 mmol/L, if you have no other risk factors. If you have cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, pre-existing cardiovascular (heart) disease or diabetes, or you smoke, the aim for LDL cholesterol levels would be less than 2 mmol/L.
Normal cholesterol range in Australia
As a guide, health authorities recommend cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5 mmol per litre if there are no other risk factors present, or LDL levels less than 2 mmol/l for those who smoke, have high blood pressure or pre-existing heart disease.
A cholesterol level of 6.5 mmol/L is considered very high.
Your doctor will also look at ratios of your good and bad cholesterol and whether you have any risk factors of heart disease. Cholesterol is a fat produced by the cells in the body and obtained from animal-based foods.
Cholesterol Ratio Ranges
Between 3.5 and 5 to 1: This ratio is considered normal. A cholesterol ratio within the normal range means that your cholesterol levels put you at lower risk for heart disease. Above 5 to 1: This results is considered high, putting you at elevated risk.
Normal: <200mg/dL
The total cholesterol/HDL ratio is an indicator of your potential for developing blockages in the arteries of your heart. A ratio greater than 4.5 is considered a high risk for coronary heart disease.