what is total cholesterol
Total Cholesterol. Your total blood cholesterol is a measure of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipid components. Your doctor will use your total cholesterol number when determining your risk for heart disease and how best to manage it. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on July 21, 2016.
Cholesterol Numbers. A cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream. Total cholesterol numbers over 240 mg/dL are considered high. While knowing your total number is helpful, it's also important to know your LDL and HDL numbers. Your ideal LDL cholesterol level may be different from someone else's based on your risk factors for heart disease.