To determine cholesterol levels, healthcare professionals will run a test called a lipid panel/profile. This will show your total cholesterol level as well as your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. In addition, it will show you your triglycerides (which we will tell you about later). This test usually requires a 12-hour fast in order to give doctors the most accurate reading. 

Ideally, total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dl. If it falls between 200 and 239 mg/dl, it is considered borderline high. A number of 240 mg/dl or higher is considered high cholesterol. 

Further, LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dl if you have a risk of heart disease and less than 129 if you don’t have a predetermined risk. HDL, or “good cholesterol” levels should be 60 mg/dl or higher to protect against heart disease. 

Sleep Time

According to Men’s Health, the right amount of sleep is considered seven hours and 46 minutes, according to a study conducted in Finland. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that people should sleep somewhere between seven and eight hours each night. 

Lack of sleep elevates the risk of a number of health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and even obesity. So make sleep a priority. 

Try to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning -- even on weekends. Minimize distractions from outside factors like television and social media. And reserve the bedroom for just two things -- sleep and sex. Take everything else to another room. 

Blood Pressure

Keeping blood pressure in check is an important part of health. High blood pressure can lead to heart damage, stroke and even vision loss. And a number of factors can increase the risk of high blood pressure, like smoking and high cholesterol.