Two or more of these risk factors increases by 20% the chance of having a heart attack within 10 years.
The LDL cholesterol level is one of the most important factors in determining whether a patient needs cholesterol therapy and whether the treatment is working properly. In particular, the new guidelines emphasize lower LDL levels and earlier treatment for people with coronary artery disease, or other forms of atherosclerosis, and diabetes.
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LDL Goals |
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| Risk Level |
Goal (d/L) |
OptimalGoal(d/L) |
| Very High Risk |
70 |
70 |
| High Risk |
100 |
70 |
| Moderate Risk |
130 |
100 |
| Low Risk |
160 |
130 |
The following chart summarizes all goals.
|
Cholesterol Goals |
|||
|
Total Cholesterol Goals |
LDL Goals |
HDL Goals |
Triglyceride Goals |
|
Less than 200 mg/dL is desirable. Between 200 and 239 is borderline. Over 240 is high. |
70 mg/dL is the new goal for very high-risk patients (recent heart attack; current active or unstable cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease; or two multiple risk factors as defined above.) Below 100 mg/dL is optimal for everyone. It should be the goal for high-risk people including those with existing heart disease, diabetes, or two or more risk factors for heart disease; 70 mg/dL is an optimal goal for these individuals. 130 mg/dL or below for people with two or more risk factors; 100 mg/dL is an optimal goal. 160 mg/dL or below for people at less risk (one or zero risk factors); 130 mg/dL is an optimal goal. Anything above 160 is high, with levels above 190 being very high. LDL levels over 190 require medication even with no other cardiac risk factors present. |
Levels above 40 mg/dL are desirable; levels above 60 mg/dL are optimal. |
Below 150 mg/dL is normal. 150-199 is borderline high. 200-499 is high. Over 500 is very high. |
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*Risk factors for heart disease include a family history of early heart problems before age 55 for men, before age 65 for women), smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, being older (over 45 for men and 55 for women), and having HDL levels below 35 mg/dL. People with two or more of these risk factors may have a 10-year risk of heart attack that exceeds 20%, and may therefore need to aim for LDL levels of 100 mg/dL or below. |
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