The CDC estimates that roughly 94 million adults in the US have total cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL, and nearly 7% of children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 have high total cholesterol.
Cholesterol numbers can be confusing. But not all cholesterol is bad for you, especially HDL or “good” cholesterol. However, it’s not the same for low-density lipoprotein (LDL), called “bad” cholesterol. Therefore, knowing which cholesterol and what level can raise your risk or lower your risk for heart disease is necessary.

Cholesterol: An Overview
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that looks like fat and is essential for vital bodily functions. Your liver makes all the necessary cholesterol for your body, but you can also take it in through foods like red meat and dairy products. It helps produce vitamin D and hormones like testosterone and oestrogen. It also helps stabilise the outer membranes of the body’s cells and digest food. However, having too much cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of coronary artery disease.