The Complete Lipid Profile remains a simple, essential test. Know the usual thresholds (total <200 mg/dL, LDL targets by risk, HDL higher is better, triglycerides <150 mg/dL). Treatment emphasizes heart-healthy diets, exercise, weight control, and risk-based use of statins, which can lower LDL substantially.

What a Complete Lipid Profile shows

A Complete Lipid Profile is a simple blood test that measures total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. Many clinicians use it to assess cardiovascular risk and guide prevention or treatment.

Typical target numbers (guidance)

  • Total cholesterol: desirable is under 200 mg/dL; 200-239 mg/dL is borderline; 240 mg/dL and above is high.
  • LDL ("bad") cholesterol: optimal is generally <100 mg/dL; 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high; 160-189 mg/dL is high; ≥190 mg/dL is very high. Modern care often sets LDL goals based on your overall cardiovascular risk.
  • HDL ("good") cholesterol: higher is better. HDL ≥60 mg/dL is considered protective. HDL under 40 mg/dL for men and under 50 mg/dL for women is considered low.
  • Triglycerides: normal is <150 mg/dL; higher levels raise risk and can signal metabolic issues.
Clinicians no longer treat single numbers in isolation. They combine the lipid results with age, blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetes to estimate 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and guide treatment.

How often should you test?

Most adults have cholesterol checked periodically as part of routine preventive care. Frequency depends on age, baseline levels, and risk factors. Your clinician can advise a testing schedule based on your health and risk profile.

Lifestyle changes that help treat high LDL

Diet and lifestyle remain first-line steps for many people. Effective changes include:
  • Adopting a heart-healthy eating pattern (Mediterranean or DASH-style diets).
  • Reducing saturated and trans fats; emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fatty fish.
  • Losing excess weight, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking.
Vegetarian or primarily plant-based diets can lower LDL while maintaining HDL. Rather than single-nutrient rules, current guidance focuses on overall dietary patterns and limiting saturated fat.

Medications: when and how they work

If lifestyle changes aren't enough or if your calculated ASCVD risk is elevated, doctors commonly prescribe statins. Statins reduce LDL cholesterol substantially - roughly 30% with moderate-intensity therapy and 50% or more with high-intensity therapy - and they have strong evidence for lowering heart attacks and strokes.

Treatment decisions depend on your calculated risk, LDL level, and other health conditions. Shared decision-making with your clinician will consider benefits, side effects, and monitoring plans.

Bottom line

A lipid profile gives essential numbers, but modern treatment focuses on overall cardiovascular risk. Use the test results as a starting point: discuss your risk, lifestyle changes, and whether medication is appropriate with your clinician.
  1. Confirm current US guidance on routine cholesterol screening frequency (adult testing interval).
  2. Verify current US dietary guidance regarding specific daily cholesterol limits and recommended saturated fat percentage to report accurately.

FAQs about Treat High Cholesterol

How often should I get my cholesterol checked?
Testing frequency depends on age, baseline levels, and risk factors. Many adults have lipids checked periodically as part of preventive care; your clinician will recommend the best schedule for you.
What LDL level requires medication?
There is no single cutoff for everyone. Decisions rely on your 10-year ASCVD risk plus LDL level and other conditions. People at higher calculated risk or with very high LDL (for example, ≥190 mg/dL) are more likely to need medication.
Can diet alone lower high cholesterol?
Diet and lifestyle can lower LDL for many people, especially when combined with weight loss and exercise. Heart-healthy patterns like the Mediterranean or DASH diets are effective. Some people still need medication to reach risk-based LDL goals.
How much do statins lower LDL?
Statins lower LDL substantially: moderate-intensity regimens typically reduce LDL by about 30%, while high-intensity therapy commonly reduces LDL by about 50% or more.