What LDL cholesterol level should you be aiming for? Elizabeth Tracey reports

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When it comes to ideal LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, ideal is a bit of a moving target. Johns Hopkins cardiologist Roger Blumenthal, chair of an American College of Cardiology committee that has just updated cholesterol guidelines, says it all depends on personal factors, family history, and whether you have existing cardiovascular disease.

Blumenthal: It's important for all adults to really think about trying to improve their lifestyle habits and strive to get their LDL cholesterol in the range of 100 if at all possible. For primary prevention for people who've never had an event that would be the goal but for higher risk individuals we have a lot of data that supports the idea of getting the LDL's down 70 or below and then very high risk individuals people who've had moderate coronary disease or had a cardiac event that an LDL in less than 55 range would be even better.  :32

Blumenthal says newer medicines can help bring cholesterol into an appropriate range for you. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.