LDL Bad Cholesterol. An LDL value below 100 mg/dL is considered optimal. A reading of 100 to 129 mg/dL is near or above optimal. A total of 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high. And 160 to 189 mg/dL is considered high, while 190 mg/dL or above is very high.n HDL value below 40 mg/dL (for men) or 50 mg/dL (for women) is classified as low HDL and is a major risk factor for heart disease. A reading of 60 mg/dL or above is high HDL.