What is total cholesterol?

Total cholesterol on your report

The first line of a lipid profile, in mg/dL.

• Fasting for 9 to 12 hours may be needed.
• MedlinePlus lists below 200 mg/dL as the healthy range for adults aged 20 and over.
• Labs may vary slightly.

What total cholesterol tells your doctor

A high total can raise your risk of heart disease, but the number on its own does not tell the whole story.

Two people with the same total can have very different risk, depending on how much is:

• LDL
• HDL

That is why your doctor looks at the full lipid profile, along with your:

• blood pressure
• sugar
• family history

What moves your total cholesterol

The habits that lower LDL also bring total cholesterol down.

Less of:

• vanaspati
• fried snacks
• bakery items
• heavy use of ghee and butter

More of:

• fibre from oats, barley, dals, rajma, vegetables and fruit
• healthier oils, in small amounts

Regular activity and losing weight if needed help, and they also lift HDL. Women often see cholesterol rise after menopause, so keep checking it. If medicine is advised, keep the habits going too.