LDL Cholesterol

LDL is the cholesterol particle most directly linked to arterial plaque buildup, and the number most cardiovascular guidelines target first.

Reference range

Watch points

Critical: at or above 190 mg/dL
High: at or above 160 mg/dL
Borderline: at or above 130 mg/dL

Same thresholds apply to men and women in this table.

Why hard-training athletes watch it

Diet composition — saturated fat, refined carbs, total calories — moves LDL more than training volume does, so this number tends to track your current diet phase (bulk vs. cut), not just your training.

When to retest

Retest with a fasting lipid panel every 3–6 months, and always fast beforehand — a non-fasted draw skews the whole panel.

Talk to your clinician

Add steady cardio and clean up dietary fats, and discuss lipid management with your clinician. An elevated reading is common and highly diet-responsive — your clinician can set a target based on your full cardiovascular risk picture, not this one number alone.