cholesterol level

[nashinha]

What is a safe level of cholesterol and at what level does it start getting dangerous? My mum just had a blood test and her cholesterol level was 8.3. Is that dangerously high?

[relaxin]

8.3? What is the unit?

Total Cholesterol Level
Less than 200 mg/dL = Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for coronary heart disease.
200 to 239 mg/dL = Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above = High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.

HDL (good) Cholesterol Level
Less than 40 mg/dL (for men) or Less than 50 mg/dL (for women) = Low HDL cholesterol. A major risk factor for heart disease.
An HDL of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease.

LDL (bad) Cholesterol Level
Less than 100 mg/dL = Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL = Near or above optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL = Borderline high
160 to 189 mg/dL = High
190 mg/dL and above = Very high