Total Cholesterol: Young Adults vs Older Adults
Compare health metrics between young adults and older adults.
- Group A has no percentile data
- Group B has no percentile data
💡 Key Insight
There is a notable difference in total cholesterol: Older Adults (60-69) have 14.5% higher values compared to Young Adults (18-29).
Percentile Comparison
| Percentile | Young Adults (18-29) | Older Adults (60-69) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 106 mg/dL | 131 mg/dL | +23.6% |
| 25th | 145 mg/dL | 170 mg/dL | +17.2% |
| 50th | 172 mg/dL | 197 mg/dL | +14.5% |
| 75th | 199 mg/dL | 224 mg/dL | +12.6% |
| 95th | 238 mg/dL | 263 mg/dL | +10.5% |
| Mean | 172 mg/dL | 197 mg/dL | +14.5% |
Visual Comparison
🔬 Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk
Total cholesterol was the original cardiovascular risk marker, but modern understanding emphasizes the LDL/HDL balance and other factors. The relationship between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol is more nuanced than previously thought.
Key Research Findings
- LDL particle number may predict risk better than LDL concentration
- HDL functionality (not just level) affects cardiovascular protection
- Triglyceride/HDL ratio is an emerging risk marker
- Statin therapy decisions now incorporate 10-year ASCVD risk scores
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is total cholesterol similar between Young Adults (18-29) and Older Adults (60-69)?
Cholesterol levels are influenced by diet, genetics, hormones, and age. Understanding demographic variations helps personalize cardiovascular risk assessment.
Source: AHAHow should I interpret my total cholesterol compared to these benchmarks?
Find your appropriate demographic group and percentile range. Being in the 25th-75th percentile (middle 50%) is typical. Percentiles below 5th or above 95th may warrant discussion with a healthcare provider, though clinical context is essential—a single measurement rarely tells the whole story.
Source: Clinical GuidelinesHow reliable is this comparison data?
This data comes from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a continuously conducted survey that uses rigorous sampling methodology to represent the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. Sample sizes typically exceed 5,000 per demographic group, with weighted analysis accounting for the complex survey design.
Source: CDC NHANESWhat This Comparison Means
Understanding differences in total cholesterol between young adults (18-29) and older adults (60-69) is important for:
- Accurate benchmarking – Compare yourself to the appropriate reference population
- Clinical interpretation – Healthcare providers use demographic-specific ranges
- Research understanding – Biological and lifestyle factors influence these differences
- Personalized health goals – Set realistic targets based on your demographic
Explore This Metric
📊 View full Total Cholesterol benchmarks with interactive percentile calculator→Data Transparency & Sources
Content Information
About this page: This page combines data from authoritative sources with AI-assisted analysis to provide comprehensive metric benchmarks. The content has been written and reviewed by our team to ensure accuracy, relevance, and quality.
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