if your triglycerides are perfect and your cholesterol is border line should i be concerned ?

Hello James DeJean,

Yes, you and your doctor should be at least a little bit concerned.

The cholesterol blood test or fasting lipid panel, as you may know, is one ordered by your physician to look at your cholesterol levels.  These levels help predict your chances of getting heart disease.  Included in the fasting lipid panel are values for your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol which you want to be low), HDL (the good cholesterol which you want to be high), and triglycerides. 

High triglycerides, high total cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol in all likelihood, independently predict your risk for for heart disease.  So having normal triglycerides does not lessen or negate your risk of heart disease from having high LDL or total cholesterol.

You mention borderline cholesterol levels; just note that depending on other risk factors for heart disease, cholesterol goals vary.  You should definitely discuss your concerns and cholesterol numbers with your physician at your next appointment.

To your health,

Neil MD