Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol is a measurement of the combined amount of cholesterol in your blood, including both "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol. It provides an overall indication of your risk for heart disease. While some cholesterol is essential for building healthy cells, too much especially in the form of LDL, can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart problems. Maintaining a balanced level through healthy diet, exercise, and medication if necessary is important for cardiovascular health. Your healthcare provider interprets your total cholesterol alongside other lipoprotein levels to assess your heart disease risk.