It depends. There are a couple of different measurements when it comes to cholesterol. And the recommended levels can be different for people with heart disease.

For people without heart disease, the ideal cholesterol levels are:

  • LDL below 100 (low-density lipoprotein, the bad kind of cholesterol)
  • HDL of 60 or higher (high-density lipoprotein, the good kind of cholesterol)
  • Triglycerides below 150
  • Total cholesterol below 200

 

For people who have heart disease, the ideal level for LDL cholesterol is below 70. This includes people who have had a heart attack, have chest pain (called angina), have a stent, or have had bypass surgery.

 

When it comes to keeping your cholesterol levels great, there are a few different numbers to keep straight