Cholesterol Levels Chart Philippines 2026: Normal, Borderline & High Ranges
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For most Filipino adults, a healthy lipid profile is: total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL, LDL (bad) below 100 mg/dL, HDL (good) above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women, and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL. Total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher is considered high and roughly doubles heart disease risk. Your personal targets may be lower if you have diabetes, hypertension, or existing heart disease — ask your doctor.
Nakuha mo na ang lipid profile results mo pero hindi mo alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga numero? Hindi ka nag-iisa. A lipid panel gives you four numbers, and each one means something different. This page explains all four — with the actual cut-offs — so you can read your own results before your next check-up.
Cholesterol Levels Chart (Adults)
| Total Cholesterol | Category | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Below 200 mg/dL | Desirable | Lower risk of heart disease |
| 200–239 mg/dL | Borderline high | Elevated risk — discuss with your doctor |
| 240 mg/dL and above | High | About twice the heart disease risk of someone below 200 |
LDL Cholesterol (the bad one)
LDL is the single most important number for heart attack and stroke risk. The lower, the better.
| LDL Level | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 100 mg/dL | Optimal |
| 100–129 mg/dL | Near optimal |
| 130–159 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 160–189 mg/dL | High |
| 190 mg/dL and above | Very high |
Important: If you already have heart disease or several risk factors, your doctor may set an LDL target below 70 mg/dL — or even 55 mg/dL if you are at very high risk. There is no single LDL target that applies to everyone.
HDL Cholesterol (the good one)
HDL is the one number you want high. It helps carry cholesterol away from your arteries. This is also the only lipid value with different cut-offs for men and women.
| HDL Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low (risk factor) | Below 40 mg/dL | Below 50 mg/dL |
| Protective | 60 mg/dL and above | 60 mg/dL and above |
Triglycerides
| Triglyceride Level | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 150 mg/dL | Normal |
| 150–199 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 200–499 mg/dL | High |
| 500 mg/dL and above | Very high |
Triglycerides are not cholesterol — they are a separate type of blood fat that rises with excess calories, alcohol, and sugar. For Filipino diets heavy on rice, soft drinks, and fried food, this is often the first number to go out of range.
How Often Should Filipinos Get Tested?
The American Heart Association recommends adults have cholesterol checked every 4–6 years starting at age 20, and more often if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, or are overweight. A lipid panel requires a blood draw at a clinic or laboratory — unlike blood pressure or blood sugar, cholesterol cannot be measured at home.
What you can monitor at home: blood pressure and blood sugar are the two other major cardiovascular risk factors, and both are trackable daily at home. If your cholesterol came back high, these are the numbers your doctor will want tracked between visits. See our normal blood pressure by age chart and BMI chart using Asian standards.
What Affects Your Cholesterol Numbers
Saturated and trans fats raise LDL. In Filipino cooking, that means fried food, fatty pork cuts, and processed meats like longganisa and hotdog.
Excess visceral fat raises triglycerides and lowers HDL. BMI alone misses this — body fat percentage is more informative.
Regular aerobic exercise is one of the few reliable ways to raise HDL, the number hardest to move through diet alone.
Cholesterol tends to rise with age. Women's risk increases after menopause. Familial hypercholesterolemia runs in families — an LDL of 190+ warrants family screening.
BeHealthy Digital Blood Pressure Monitor — ₱950
High cholesterol and high blood pressure often travel together, and doctors managing one usually want the other tracked. This arm-type monitor stores 45 readings each for 3 family members, runs on USB-C or AA batteries, and needs no app. FDA-registered with a 1-year warranty and local after-sales support.
View BP Monitor — ₱950A Note on Supplements
No supplement replaces medical treatment for high cholesterol, and none should be started without talking to your doctor — especially if you are already on a statin or other prescribed medication. Some Filipinos take omega-3 fish oil or CoQ10 as part of a broader heart-health routine alongside diet and exercise. If your doctor has cleared you to add one, BeHealthy carries Bronson Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg and Bronson CoQ10 100mg, both from a cGMP-certified New York facility. Bring the label to your next appointment so your doctor can check for interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most adults, total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is desirable, LDL below 100 mg/dL, HDL above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women, and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL. Personal targets may be stricter depending on your other risk factors.
A total cholesterol of 200–239 mg/dL is classified as borderline high — not yet in the high range, but elevated enough to warrant attention. High is 240 mg/dL and above, which carries roughly twice the heart disease risk compared to a level below 200.
Not reliably. Cholesterol requires a lipid panel blood test at a clinic or laboratory. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and body composition can be tracked at home — cholesterol cannot.
LDL carries cholesterol into your arteries where it can build up as plaque — you want this low. HDL carries cholesterol away from your arteries back to the liver — you want this high. Both appear on the same lipid panel.
Every 4–6 years for healthy adults starting at age 20, and more frequently if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a family history of early heart disease. Your doctor may test annually if you are already being treated.
Supplements are not a treatment for high cholesterol and should never replace prescribed medication or medical advice. Diet, exercise, weight management, and where necessary medication are the evidence-based approaches. Discuss any supplement with your doctor before starting it.
Sources and disclaimer: Reference ranges compiled from the American Heart Association, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). This page is general health information, not medical advice, and does not diagnose or treat any condition. Always discuss your own lipid panel results with a licensed physician. Last updated: August 2026.