The term heart healthy includes a diet of lean meat, vegetables, low sodium, and a cholesterol level of which of the following?

Choice A reason: A cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL is optimal for heart health, reducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk. Combined with a low-sodium, lean meat, and vegetable diet, this level minimizes lipid deposition in arteries, supporting cardiovascular function and preventing coronary artery disease. Choice B reason: A cholesterol level of 200–239 mg/dL is borderline high, increasing atherosclerosis risk. A heart-healthy diet aims for levels below 200 mg/dL to minimize plaque formation and cardiovascular events. This range is suboptimal, making it incorrect for defining a heart-healthy cholesterol target. Choice C reason: Cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dL increase atherosclerosis risk, as excess lipids deposit in arterial walls, narrowing lumens and raising cardiovascular event risk. A heart-healthy diet targets levels below 200 mg/dL, making this an incorrect choice for optimal cardiovascular health. Choice D reason: A cholesterol level of 240–259 mg/dL is high, significantly increasing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk. A heart-healthy diet aims for levels below 200 mg/dL to prevent plaque buildup, making this range incorrect, as it represents a high-risk category requiring intervention.