More Than Just a Number: Understanding Your Cholesterol Results

If you’ve ever had a cholesterol test, you’ve probably seen a list of numbers—but what do they actually mean for your health?

💡 Total cholesterol should ideally be below 5 mmol/L, but this alone doesn’t tell the full story.

⚖️ LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol)—the type that can clog arteries—should be below 3 mmol/L for low-risk individuals. If you have a higher risk of heart disease, doctors may aim for below 2 mmol/L, or even lower.

🛡 HDL (‘good’ cholesterol)—which helps clear LDL from the bloodstream—should be above 1.0 mmol/L for most men and 1.2 mmol/L for most women. Higher levels are protective, lowering your cardiovascular risk.

📉 Triglycerides, which reflect how your body processes fat, should normally be below 1.7 mmol/L. High levels can indicate insulin resistance, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

🔎 Non-HDL cholesterol is a useful measure of all the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood, including LDL and other harmful fats. It’s calculated by subtracting your HDL from your total cholesterol. Since it includes more risk-related particles than LDL alone, some guidelines prefer it as a better predictor of heart disease risk than just LDL. Ideally, non-HDL cholesterol should be below 4 mmol/L.

The key? It’s not just about a single number—it’s about balance. A ‘normal’ total cholesterol level doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear.

The Cholesterol Ratio

One useful way to assess risk is by looking at your cholesterol ratio—your total cholesterol divided by HDL. A ratio below 4 is ideal, as a lower ratio suggests a healthier balance of cholesterol. Even if your total cholesterol is slightly elevated, a strong HDL level can help offset the risk and brings down the ratio.

Non-Cholesterol Related Risk

Cholesterol results shouldn’t be interpreted in isolation. The same ratio in different people leaves them with very different total risks. For example, someone who’s 60 with a ratio around 4 (which is where you get with total cholesterol of 5 and HDL just over 1) could have a 10 year risk of heart or stroke as low as 5% or as high as 50% depending on the rest of their health.

For people at higher risk—such as those who have had a previous heart attack, stroke, or multiple risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure—cholesterol targets are often much lower to reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events. If you fall into this category, it’s important to discuss with your doctor what levels are safest for you.

If you’ve had your cholesterol tested recently, it’s worth taking a closer look at your results. They tell you more about your heart health than you might think!