The normal range for total cholesterol is 200 or less. You also need to know your "healthy" HDL cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol numbers. The optimal range for HDL cholesterol is more than 60 and LDL cholesterol should be less than 100. High total cholesterol, high LDL, or low HDL may increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke. There are no definite symptoms of high cholesterol, so it's important to see your doctor and know your cholesterol numbers.

A full understanding of your cholesterol profile requires measurements of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides Cholesterol levels should be measured at least once every five years in everyone over age 20.

The screening test that is usually performed is a blood test called a lipid profile. Experts recommend that men ages 35 and older and women ages 45 and older be more frequently screened for lipid disorders.