Ask Mary

A blood cholesterol level of 201 is at the top of the desirable range, but cholesterol alone doesn’t provide enough information to interpret your risk for heart disease.  If your HDL ("good cholesterol") level is more than 60 mg/dL, then your risk is lower, but if your HDL level is below 40 mg/dL, then your risk increases. The doctor also considers LDL ("bad cholesterol") and other factors in the interpretation.  At highest risk are those who have had a heart attack or stroke, diabetes or metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, or a smoking habit.  The American Heart Association recommends a daily cholesterol intake of less than 300 mg a day along with 7 to 10 percent of total calories from saturated fat.