We recommend that all adults should get a cholesterol check, no matter what your age or how healthy you feel.

High cholesterol doesn't usually have any signs or symptoms, and it can be caused by your genes, so we advise getting a check even if you are young, fit and feel healthy. 

High cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and strokes. A cholesterol test, along with other simple tests including a blood pressure test, BMI and waist measurement, will give you a good idea of your heart health and show you if you need to make any lifestyle changes or need treatment. 

A cholesterol check involves a simple blood test. Your healthcare professional should also check another blood fat called triglycerides, as these also affect your heart health.

Understand your cholesterol test results

Use this page to understand your cholesterol and triglyceride results and see if they are in the healthy range.

When you have a cholesterol test, ask your healthcare professional to explain the results, so you don't have any unnecessary worry or confusion. 

It’s not just your total cholesterol that’s important, so your results will include different types of cholesterol. If you are only given your total cholesterol, ask for a break-down of the other numbers – it’s possible to have a healthy total

cholesterol (TC) number but an unhealthy balance of the different types of cholesterol. 

Total cholesterol

This is sometimes written as 'serum cholesterol' or 'TC' and refers to your overall level of cholesterol.

Non-HDL cholesterol

Your non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. It’s all the 'bad' cholesterol added together, which mainly includes  LDL cholesterol.  Ideally it should be as low as possible.   Non-HDL cholesterol is the current treatment target for primary prevention (for those who do not have cardiovascular disease), and there are now specific targets for both non-HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol for those who have cardiovascular disease (known as secondary prevention) - see below

HDL cholesterol

Your HDL cholesterol ('good' cholesterol) helps clear the cholesterol out of your arteries, while your LDL cholesterol ('bad' cholesterol) can clog them up.   

TC:HDL-C ratio

The TC:HDL-C ratio is only required for the calculation of 10 year and lifetime risk assessment, using QRISK risk calculators. It is important to note that this ratio should be interpreted with caution as it may be reassuringly normal due to a high HDL cholesterol, even though someone has a high non-HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.   

What is a healthy cholesterol level?

This table is a general guide for cholesterol and triglyceride levels for healthy adults in the UK.   If you are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or if you already have CVD (coronary heart disease, heart attack stroke etc) then your healthcare professional will discuss specific cholesterol lowering targets with you, based on current national guidelines.

mmol/Lmg/dLTotal (serum)

Cholesterol below 5.0

Non-HDL cholesterol below 4.0

LDL cholesterolbelow 3.0

HDL cholesterol

above 1.0 for a man

above 1.2 for a woman

TC:HDL-C ratioThis ratio is only required for calculating 10 year/lifetime risk assessment using QRISK calculators 

Primary and Secondary Prevention targets

The table below shows current national recommendations for non-HDL cholesterol if you are seen at a higher risk of developing CVD, but do not have existing CVD, (known as Primary Prevention), along with recommendations for non-HDL and LDL cholesterol if you already have CVD i.e. heart disease, stroke (known as Secondary Prevention)

*Non-HDL and LDL cholesterol levels should be reduced as much as possible in secondary prevention

 Primary PreventionSecondary PreventionNon-HDL cholesterol aim for a greater than 40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol Aim for a non-HDL cholesterol of 2.6mmol/L or below*LDL cholesterol 

Aim for an LDL cholesterol of 2mmol/L or below*

What do your triglyceride results mean? 

Triglycerides are another type of blood fat and your triglyceride levels can tell you more about your health. If your triglycerides are high, it can mean you’re at risk of heart disease, liver disease and diabetes. 

You should have your triglycerides tested when you have a cholesterol test. 

What can raise your triglycerides?

Raised triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol

People with high triglyceride levels often have a low HDL level as well, which is an unhealthy combination that's often linked with premature heart disease. It can be inherited and often occurs in people who carry their weight around their middle. 

What is a healthy triglyceride level?

As a general rule, these are the ideal triglyceride levels for healthy adults.

 Fasting triglycerides are where you fast for a period of time before your blood test, usually 10-14 hours.

Fasting triglyceride below 1.7mmol/L or below 150mg/dL

Non-fasting triglyceride below 2.0mmol/L or below 177mg/dL