What is considered a normal total cholesterol level?

A normal total cholesterol level is generally recognized as being less than 200 mg/dL. This threshold is crucial because a level below this indicates a lower risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Consistently maintaining cholesterol levels in this range is part of promoting overall cardiovascular health. While levels below 150 and over 200 are significant in terms of cholesterol management, the specific cutoff for what is considered “normal” falls directly under 200. Therefore, this number is a standard guideline used by healthcare providers to assess and educate patients on their cholesterol levels and risks associated with high cholesterol.