Understanding Your Cholesterol and Lipid Blood Tests

A Patient Information Guide

Your cholesterol and lipid blood tests help your healthcare team monitor your cardiovascular health and identify any risks to your heart and blood vessels early. The information below explains the most common lipid markers and what they mean for your health.

Total Cholesterol

Typical Target Range: Under 5.0 mmol/L (or under 200 mg/dL)

Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol found in your blood. It includes all the different types of fats combined, such as HDL and LDL.

With LDL cholesterol (below), this is one of the most frequently reviewed numbers on a lipid panel. A level below 5.0 mmol/L is generally considered ideal for adults without pre-existing risk factors, though your doctor will always evaluate this number alongside your specific health history.

LDL Cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

Typical Target Range: Under 3.0 mmol/L (under 100 mg/dL) for low risk; under 1.8 mmol/L (under 70 mg/dL) for high risk

LDL is widely known as the “bad” cholesterol. It is a protein that carries cholesterol from your liver out to the rest of your body, where it can potentially build up in your artery walls.

As LDL levels rise, the risk of plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) increases, which can narrow your blood vessels. Your doctor will look at this number closely; if you have a history of heart issues or diabetes, your target range will likely be much lower.

HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Typical Target Range: Above 1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) for men; above 1.2 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for women

HDL is frequently called the “good” cholesterol. Its job is to act like a clean-up crew, collecting excess cholesterol from your bloodstream and taking it back to the liver to be broken down and removed.

Higher numbers are generally better here because a robust HDL level helps protect your cardiovascular system. If your HDL is too low, it means your body may struggle to clear out unwanted fats efficiently.

Triglycerides

Typical Target Range: Under 1.7 mmol/L (or under 150 mg/dL)

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat found in your body. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t need to use right away into triglycerides, which are stored in your fat cells.

High levels of triglycerides can be caused by regular overeating, alcohol consumption, or poorly managed blood sugar. When raised alongside high LDL levels, they can significantly increase the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Non-HDL Cholesterol

Typical Target Range: Under 4.0 mmol/L (or under 130 mg/dL)

Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated simply by subtracting your HDL (“good”) cholesterol from your total cholesterol number. This provides a single calculation of all the “bad” types of cholesterol combined.

Many specialists prefer looking at Non-HDL cholesterol because it doesn’t require you to fast before the blood draw to get an accurate reading. It provides a highly reliable snapshot of your total cardiovascular risk.

Total Cholesterol to HDL Ratio (TC/HDL Ratio)

Typical Target Range: Under 4.5 (a lower ratio is better)

This is not a separate fat molecule, but a mathematical ratio calculated by dividing your Total Cholesterol by your HDL level.

An ideal ratio is under 4.5, and a ratio above 6.0 is generally considered high risk. This number tells your doctor how much total cholesterol you have relative to the protective HDL cholesterol clearing it away.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

Typical Target Range: Under 1.0 g/L (or under 100 mg/dL)

ApoB is a protein embedded in every single “bad” cholesterol particle (including LDL and VLDL). Measuring ApoB essentially counts the exact number of plaque-causing particles floating in your blood.

While not always part of a standard routine lipid panel, your specialist might order an ApoB test if you have a strong family history of heart disease, as it can sometimes catch risks that standard LDL tests miss.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

Typical Target Range: Under 50 nmol/L (or under 30 mg/dL)

Lp(a) is a specific type of LDL particle that is entirely determined by your genetics. Its levels are inherited from your parents and remain relatively stable throughout your life.

High levels of Lp(a) increase the stickiness of blood clots and accelerate plaque buildup. Because it is genetic, diet and standard lifestyle changes don’t easily change this number, but knowing it is elevated helps your doctor customize your overall preventative care strategy.

Other Important Measurements: Blood Pressure

Typical Target Range: 90/60 to 135/85 mmHg

While blood pressure isn’t a blood test, it is measured at almost every clinical visit because it works hand-in-hand with cholesterol to impact your blood vessels.

Why Blood Pressure Matters: High blood pressure strains and damages the inner lining of your arteries. When artery walls are damaged, it is much easier for circulating LDL cholesterol to become trapped inside them and form dangerous plaques.

How Often Should You Get Lipid Tests?

How often you need your cholesterol checked depends on your age, risk factors, and whether you are taking cholesterol-lowering medications like statins: