LDL is the “bad” cholesterol: This is cholesterol that is potentially being deposited in your arteries. You want low LDL values; the lower the better. Cardiologists would say that everyone’s LDL should be below 130 mg/dl. If you have additional risk factors (i.e., if you’re a smoker, have high blood pressure, or low HDL), your LDL should be below 100 mg/dl. If you’ve had a heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery or stent, or if you have diabetes, your LDL should be below 70 mg/dl. An LDL well below 50 mg/dl is It is additionally considered protective2.
