Target cholesterol in a person depends upon his levels of heart risk. This risk can be calculated considering the age, sex, general health conditions and levels of cholesterol.

In order to calculate the heart risk, it is important to look into and answer the following questions:

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What is the total cholesterol level?

What is the level of HDL (good cholesterol)?

What is the level of LDL (Bad cholesterol)?

What is your systolic blood pressure?

Do you take medications for blood pressure?

Do you have a smoking habit?

Taking the above questions into consideration the heart risk can be calculated. The target cholesterol can then be calculated. Target cholesterol can be different for different individual depending upon the above discussed factors. According to the Canadian guidelines, the target cholesterol level must be lower. In case of high risk groups, this level is tough to achieve. And so in order to achieve the targets it is vital to start medication for controlling cholesterol and make certain productive lifestyle modifications and diet changes. Lifestyle modification includes relying on physical activity and exercises on daily basis. Diet modification means that there must be cut down in animal fat products in meals and increase in natural foods.