High cholesterol, like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a high body mass index (BMI), is a risk factor for heart disease. If you have LDL higher than 100 mg/dL, HDL lower than 50 mg/dL, and/or total cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dL, your cholesterol levels are high. This increases your risk for build-up of plaque in your arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Triglycerides, the other number you'll see on your lipid panel, are another fatty substance in your blood. If your body can’t process glucose or sugar effectively, this level will go up. If your triglycerides are higher than 150 mg/dL, it can be hard on your pancreas and potentially lead to prediabetes.