Also, triglycerides are important. If yours are low, that's a good sign.
No matter what I do re. diet and exercise, I always have amazing cholesterol (so far): high HDL, low LDL, low overall, and low triglycerides. And my 81 year old mother does as well, so that's where I think genetics makes a big difference, especially since my mother eats a low-carb, meat-intensive diet, and I eat a low-meat, high complex carb, Mediterranean-style (but not exactly) diet. And she exercises almost not at all!
In this particular case, I think I won the genetic lottery.
Emily
2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow