Cholesterol Cholesterol A blood cholesterol of 180 or less is considered desirable for American adults. Higher than that, and your risk of heart attack increases significantly.
High cholesterol causes sticky substances, called plaques, to be deposited on artery walls.
Over time, the buildup of this material can narrow or even block the artery. Lifestyle changes, such as lowering the amount of cholesterol and saturated fats in your diet, can reduce your risk of heart disease. Desired levels are 35-100. Your total cholesterol and HDL ratio should be 4.0 or less. Desired level is less than 130.