How low should be my cholesterol level?

Due to our changing lifestyles, there are more and more people suffering from high cholesterol. However, many still don't know what should be our cholesterol level be safer.

According to the NCEP ATP 3 guidelines, our LDL-C (bad cholesterol) level should be as follow:

Patients with CHD/CHD Risk Equivelents - <100mg/dl
(10 year risk > 20%)

Patients with more than 2 risk factors - <130mg/dL
(10 year risk =<20%)

Patients with 0-1 risk factor - 160mg/dL

Risk factors includes (other than elevated LDL-C):

• cigarette smoking
• Hypertension (Blood Pressure >= 140/90mmHg or on an antihypertensive medication)
• Low HDL-C (good cholesterol) <40mg/dl
• Family history of premature CHD
• Age (men >= 45 years; women >= 55 years)

Note: In ATP 3, diabetes is regarded as a CHD risk equivalent.

Source: http://www.benecolphysicians.com/usage/ncep.jhtml?id=usage/ncep

The optimal level is <100mg/dl>

In 2004, Grundy et al published the following:

Source: http://www.lipidsonline.org/slides/slide01.cfm?q=atp+iii&dpg=1

*Patient should consult their doctor for blood test result interpretation and proper treatment advice. Patient should visit their doctor regularly to monitor their condition.