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By the numbers
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure and high cholesterol? There are none. You don’t know you have either condition unless you get tested. Health professionals recommend you start testing in your 20s. At a minimum, blood pressure should be checked yearly and cholesterol every five years unless otherwise recommended by your doctor.
At health fairs, only total cholesterol and HDL are tested. If either figure is abnormal, a fasting lipoprotein profile, which will also give LDL and triglycerides (another fat in the blood), is recommended.
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Cholesterol (in mg/dL)
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Reading
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Total Cholesterol
<200
200-239
240 and above
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Desirable
Borderline high
High
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*LDL (bad cholesterol)
<100
100-129
130-159
160-189
190 and above
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Optimal
Near optimal
Borderline high
High
Very high
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**HDL (good cholesterol)
<40
40-59
60 and above
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Poor
Better
Best
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Triglycerides
<150
150-199
200-499
500 or above
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Normal
Borderline high
High
Very high
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Blood Pressure (in mm Hg)
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Reading
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<120/80
120 to 139/80 to 89
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Normal
Pre-hypertension
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High blood pressure
140 to 159/90 to 99
160/100 or above
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Stage 1
Stage 2
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Source: National Cholesterol Education Program.
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*LDL is the main source of cholesterol buildup in the arteries. You want your LDL to be LOW.
**HDL protects against heart disease. You want your HDL to be HIGH. |
