Lay testing of cholesterol levels in the blood is an increasingly popular practice, but to be certain of reliable results, testing is best done under medical supervision.
Levels of blood cholesterol are measured in millimoles/litre, or (mmol/l), against which the risks of heart disease are calculated.
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Cholesterol - Risk factor
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Less than 5.2mmol/l - Low
5.2 - 6.5mmol/l - Average
6.5 - 7.8mmol/l - Moderate
Greater than 7.8mmol/l - High
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However, when assessing the risk other factors also need to be considered. Account should be taken of any family history of heart disease as well as an individual's life style. For example, a cholesterol level of 6.4 might be acceptable in a fit man with no other risk factors but worryingly high for a man who had angina, or whose family had a long history of the illness.
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