What is the target total cholesterol level?

Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the target total cholesterol level?

Explanation:
Total cholesterol combines all cholesterol in the blood, including LDL, HDL, and VLDL components. Keeping this number as low as is safely possible reduces the risk of artery plaque and heart disease. Medical guidelines designate a total cholesterol level under 200 mg/dL as the desirable target, because values below this threshold are associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high, and 240 mg/dL and above are high risk. So the best target to aim for is under 200 mg/dL.

Total cholesterol combines all cholesterol in the blood, including LDL, HDL, and VLDL components. Keeping this number as low as is safely possible reduces the risk of artery plaque and heart disease. Medical guidelines designate a total cholesterol level under 200 mg/dL as the desirable target, because values below this threshold are associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high, and 240 mg/dL and above are high risk. So the best target to aim for is under 200 mg/dL.

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