Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that's made by your liver. It is also in many foods, such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. It helps your body perform many important functions, such as making hormones, but too much cholesterol is bad for you and increases your risk of heart disease. Learning your cholesterol numbers can go a long way in maintaining healthy numbers. However, knowing the different types of cholesterol that are in your blood can be confusing.

A cholesterol test provides different levels of cholesterol numbers:

• Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the bad cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol gives you a higher risk for heart disease.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the good type of cholesterol. High levels of HDLs can be good for you and help lower the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
• Triglycerides are a common fat in your body. High triglycerides, along with high LDLs or low HDLs, can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Your cholesterol test results will measure your cholesterol by milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and healthy cholesterol levels depend on your age and sex.

For anyone 19 years old and younger:

• Total cholesterol level: Less than 170 mg/dL
• LDL: Less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL: More than 45 mg/dL

For men 20 years old and older:

• Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dL
• LDL: Less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL: 40 mg/dL or higher

For women 20 years old and older:

• Total cholesterol: 125-200 mg/dL
• LDL: Less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL: 50 mg/dL or higher

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the time high cholesterol has no visible symptoms. The only way to tell if your cholesterol is high is with a blood test. Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked every 4 to 6 years, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol. Providers check your levels by a blood test, where the lab technician will usually take blood from a vein in your arm.

You can also check your cholesterol levels at home by using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved home testing kit.

These are things you can do at home to prevent high cholesterol:

• Avoid added sugars and excessive amounts of sodium.
• Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and non or low-fat dairy.
• Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or a combination of the two.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Reach or maintain a healthy weight.
• Stop smoking or don't start.