What Are the Normal Cholesterol Levels According to Age?

Cholesterol (a type of fat or lipid) moves in the body combined with proteins. This combination of cholesterol and proteins is called lipoproteins. The low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol. High levels of this cholesterol increase risk for heart diseases and stroke.

When you have high levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, the LDL cholesterol can accumulate on the walls of the blood vessels forming a ‘plaque.’ The continuous cholesterol build-up or a plaque narrows the inside of the blood vessels with time. The narrowed blood vessel hampers the blood supply to the concerned organ. Thus, when the plaque is present in the heart, it can cause angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Plaque build-up in the brain can cause a stroke.

Another type of cholesterol is HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. It is also called “good” cholesterol as it absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then removes the cholesterol from the body. HDL cholesterol, thus, can lower your risk for heart diseases and stroke.

Lipoprotein panel is a type of blood test that can measure cholesterol levels. Before the test, the patient may need to fast (not eat or drink anything but water) for 9-12 hours. The test gives information about different types of cholesterol:

• Total cholesterol: Shows the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. It includes both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
• LDL (bad) cholesterol: Transports cholesterol particles throughout the body. LDL cholesterol is often called “the bad cholesterol” because it builds up in the walls of the arteries, making them hard and narrow.
• HDL (good) cholesterol: Picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver.
• Non-HDL: Number is total cholesterol minus HDL. Non-HDL includes LDL and other types of cholesterol such as very low–density lipoprotein (VLDL).
• Triglycerides: Another form of fat in the blood that can increase your risk for heart diseases, especially in women, is triglycerides.

Too much of the bad kind, or not enough of the good kind, increases the risk that cholesterol will slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain.

The frequency of getting your cholesterol levels tested depends on your age, presence of risk factors, and family history like a history of heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

The following provides general recommendations for various age groups.

People who are 19 years of age or younger should:

• Get the first test done between ages 9 to 11 years
• Repeat the test every 5 years
• For children, who have a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke, the testing may start at 2 years of age

People who are age 20 years or older:

• Those between the age of 20 to 44 years should get tested every 5 years
• Women in the age group 45 to 54 years should get tested every 5 years
• Men in the age group 45 to 65 years should get their cholesterol levels checked every 1-2 years
• Women in the age group 55 to 65 years should get tested every 1-2 years

Managing your cholesterol levels can help keep you healthy as you age

Managing your cholesterol levels can help keep you healthy as you age. Here are some factors to take into account:

Total cholesterol:

• Young adults may need to have total cholesterol less than 170 mg/dL.
• Adults who have total cholesterol levels less than 200 mg/dL are considered healthy.
• If total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, it is borderline high.
• If total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL and above, it is considered high and harmful.

Bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein [LDL]):

• LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL.
• 100-129 mg/dL is acceptable for people with no health problems but maybe a concern for anyone with heart diseases or heart disease risk factors.
• 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high.
• 160 mg/dL and above is considered high and harmful.

Good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein [HDL]):

• Young adults may need to have HDL more than 45 mg/dL.
• The optimal reading for HDL levels is of 60 mg/dL or higher.
• If HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, it can be a major risk factor for heart disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol: 

• Young adults may need to have non-HDL cholesterol levels less than 120 mg/dL. Adults may need to maintain less than 130 mg/dL.

Triglycerides: 

• A normal triglyceride level is below 150 mg/dL. A person may need treatment if they have triglyceride levels that are borderline high (150-199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or more).

Cholesterol is an important substance found in all cells of the body. It is a waxy, fat-like substance required by the body to build healthy cells, hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help in digestion of food. Excess cholesterol is harmful to the body. Cholesterol usually comes from the following sources:

• Liver: It makes the cholesterol that is required for the body.
• Food: The remainder of the cholesterol in the body comes from foods derived from animals (meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy products). These foods are usually high in saturated and trans fats. These fats may cause the liver to produce more cholesterol; this added production means excess cholesterol, which is harmful for the body.
• Some tropical oils: Oils such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil if consumed may trigger the liver to produce more cholesterol. These oils are often found in baked goods.