Your cholesterol number

What should my cholesterol number be?

There is some debate about the optimal cholesterol level for people with high blood pressure. Evidence suggests that lower cholesterol levels are associated with lower risk.

Leading UK heart doctors - supported by patient charities such as Heart UK and Diabetes UK - recommend an optimal target for total cholesterol of below 4.0 mmol/l.

(mmol/l is the unit used to measure cholesterol).

How can you find out what your cholesterol number is?

Measuring cholesterol levels involves a simple blood test and you should talk to your doctor or nurse about this.