What Do My Cholesterol Numbers Mean?

One of the best things you can do for yourself?

Know your cholesterol numbers, because they're crucial to keeping your heart healthy!

"Know your cholesterol, know your blood pressure and know your blood glucose," says our friend Dr. Travis Stork of "The Doctors." "Those are three risk factors for heart disease, so know those."

And then, he adds, "Live like your heart depends on it. Without this thing ticking, each and every moment, you can't live. This thing works so hard while we sleep, while we work, while we do everything. [You have to take care of it.]"

But of course, the question is, once you know your numbers, what do they mean?

First, you need two numbers: your low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as "bad cholesterol," and your high-density lipoproteins (HDL), known as good cholesterol.

Per our friends "The Doctors," for men and women, the LDL should be under 100. As for HDL, the number should be above 40 for men and above 50 for women.

If your numbers aren't quite there, following a healthy diet, avoiding foods high in saturated fat, and exercising are three great ways you can get your cholesterol to where it should be.

And speaking of, here's a heartfelt message from TV icon and heart disease survivor Regis Philbin, who's working with the organization, Take Cholesterol to Heart. Listen below!