What are considered normal cholesterol levels?

What are normal cholesterol levels? Some of us can eat a variety of
foods and increase our good cholesterol (HDL) levels, but
unfortunately for the majority, especially those who have a family
history of heart attack or stroke, the risk of high cholesterol
leading to coronary problems is only too real so lowering cholesterol
levels is a very important part of general health.

There are two main types of cholesterol in the body; LDL-cholesterol
(which is also known as "bad" cholesterol) can leave deposits in the
blood which may clog the arteries in time if not controlled, and
HDL-cholesterol (or "good" cholesterol) which helps to remove these
deposits from the bloodstream and returning them to the liver where
the body can get rid of it in the normal way. The trick, therefore,
is to try and maintain a good level of HDL in the body.

Normal cholesterol levels can vary depending on age, gender, genetics
and a number of other factors. People who are overweight are in a
higher risk bracket, as are smokers and those who do not exercise.
The average total cholesterol level in the blood is 5.2 millimoles per
liter (mmol/l), but over 20% of people have levels higher than6.5
mmol/l. The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases the higher
above average the cholesterol level rises (read more from the low cholesterol foods
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