A: When it comes to cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol, high is somewhat of a relative term. Two people could have the exact same LDL levels, but their doctor might tell one to maintain it and advise the other to go lower. The reason? Other risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the more important it is for you to cut your LDL to below 130 or even 100 milligrams per deciliter. If you have only one risk factor (or none), you need only strive for an LDL level below 160. Between your smoking and your dad's medical history, you've got two major risk factors for coronary heart disease. So your LDL goal is below 130, if not below 100.

A: You do have time on your side, but you should take advantage of it. The new NCEP adult treatment guidelines recommend that everyone 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every five years. That's not just a finger stick to measure total cholesterol, but a complete fasting lipoprotein profile, including LDL, HDL and triglycerides as well as total cholesterol. If your LDL is on the high side and you have other risk factors, you could be heading toward heart disease in middle age if you don't take steps now, such as losing weight and exercising more. If your LDL is still 160 or above after making those lifestyle changes, you might be a candidate for medication.

A: Unlike other cholesterol types, the higher your HDL, or "good," cholesterol, the better. HDL is thought to undo some of the damage from LDL by carrying cholesterol out of the coronary arteries. The previous cholesterol guidelines defined low HDL as less than 35 milligrams per deciliter.