The American Heart Association categorizes your risk for heart disease based on the following LDL levels. Less than 100 mg/dL is considered optimal and up to 129 mg/dL is near optimal. Borderline high LDL ranges from 130 to 159 mg/dL and 160 to 189 mg/dL is considered high.Above that level is categorized as very high. High density lipoproteins (HDL) are categorized as the good type of cholesterol.DL levels below 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women are thought to put you at a greater than average risk for heart disease. Individuals who regularly exercise can achieve HDL values over 60, lowering their relative risk for coronary artery disease.