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Is an LDL level of 242 good or bad?

According to Mayo Clinic, an LDL level of 242 would be considered very high for both adult men and women.

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What is a good LDL level?

According to Mayo Clinic, the best LDL level is lower than 70 mg/dL for both adult men and women.

While rare, an LDL level could be considered too low. However, there isn't yet a consensus among medical professionals on what would constitute such a level.

More information about an LDL level of 242

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and is sometimes called "bad cholesterol" because it can build up your in arteries. This build-up is called atherosclerosis and can lead to coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, or peripheral artery disease. In short, having high LDL levels could cause chest pain, a heart attack, or stroke.

An LDL level of 242 may be written on a lab report as 242 mg/dL, or milligrams per deciliter. This means there would be 242 milligrams of LDL per deciliter of blood. For reference, 1 deciliter is equal to 100 milliliters, or approximately 3.38 US fluid ounces.

How do you measure LDL?

LDL is typically measured by a blood test, also called a lipid profile or lipid panel, ordered by your doctor. To get an accurate reading, you're typically asked to fast for at least 8 to 10 hours prior to the test.

You can also measure LDL levels at home with a digital cholesterol meter. To use one, you typically prick a finger with a lancet or fingerstick, add a drop of blood to a test strip, and insert the strip into the meter. While convenient, the reliability of readings from at-home cholesterol meters is debated.

Relevant HSA expenses

If you have an HSA as part of your health insurance plan, you'll be pleased to find that cholesterol meters and cholesterol test kits are both eligible.

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Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended to be an educational reference and is not to be taken as medical advice. If you think you're having a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.

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