| HDL good cholesterol | Effect category | Total cholesterol levels | Category |
| Less than 40 mg/dL | Major risk factor for developing heart disease | Less than 200 mg/dL | Desirable |
| 60 mg/dL | Optimal to reduce risk for heart disease | 200 - 239 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 70 mg/dL | Fatal | 240 mg/dL | High |
| 80 mg/dL | Fatal | More than 240 mg/dL | Extremely high |