General
Cholesterol Test – Purpose, Procedure and Reading
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance spread all over the cells and tissues of your body. While it can keep your body healthy, excessive bad cholesterol can cause harm and different health hazards. Doctors, therefore, perform a cholesterol test to measure if your body has the right amount of good and bad cholesterol.
Are you suffering from cholesterol problems and hoping to find the right way out? Find out all about cholesterol tests and their various aspects with this article!
What Is Cholesterol Test?
A complete cholesterol test, also known as a lipid panel or lipid profile, helps doctors measure the good or bad cholesterol in your body. Moreover, it also helps count the number of triglycerides, a type of fat. Excessive cholesterol in your body can result in stroke, heart disease and atherosclerosis. A total cholesterol test measures the following types of lipids or fats in your blood.
1. Total cholesterol
As the name reveals, this test checks the overall cholesterol present in your blood.
2. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
This is considered bad cholesterol in healthcare terms. This test checks for its presence, as its excessive presence can cause heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
This is good cholesterol. Having a high level of HDL enables your body to remove LDL.
4. Triglycerides
Your body has the role of converting food items into triglycerides and storing them in the fat cells. People with obesity can have high triglycerides levels.
5. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)
It is another type of bad cholesterol caused by plaque development in arteries. A cholesterol test helps to measure this.
Who Is at Risk of Having High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol problems are most commonly found in older adults. Men over 45 years of age and women over 55 years are more likely to be at risk of having high cholesterol. Moreover, women are at higher risk of cholesterol issues than men, particularly after menopause. Apart from that, if your parents and other family members have high cholesterol, it increases your chances. Furthermore, the following risk factors can cause related problems.
- Diet consisting of trans fat, saturated fat and sugarÂ
- Being obese or overweightÂ
- Excessive physical activities Â
- Tobacco smokingÂ
- Type 2 diabetesÂ
- High blood pressureÂ
If you are curious to know the appropriate time for a cholesterol checkup, doctors suggest that people over 20 should take the test every five years.
What Is the Procedure of a Cholesterol Test?
The procedure of a cholesterol test is usually conducted in a healthcare setting. A professional will take a blood sample from your veins and collect it in a small test tube. It takes less than five minutes, and you might feel slight pinching pain at the injection site. On the other hand, you can also purchase an at-home kit for testing your cholesterol. You will have to follow the instructions mentioned and use the device to prick your finger slightly and test your blood sample.
How to Prepare for a Cholesterol Test?
Your doctor might ask you to fast before the test in some cholesterol tests. Particularly, if you have a lipid profile done, you will have to avoid eating or drinking for about 12 hours before taking the test. However, you are allowed to eat before the test to test your HD and total cholesterol levels. Moreover, it would help to inform the doctor about the following before taking the test to determine any other precautions.
- Any health symptoms or problems
- Heart health history in your family
- Your current medications and supplements
How to Read a Cholesterol Report?
A cholesterol test report is measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dl) of blood. Now, the question is how to read cholesterol reports? The answer is simple. While most types of cholesterol should be kept low, the only exception is HDL, which is good cholesterol. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the following cholesterol and triglyceride levels are ideal.
|
Cholesterol and Triglycerides |
Desirable Level |
|
Total cholesterol |
Lower than 200 mg/dl |
|
LDL cholesterol |
Lower than 100 mg/dl |
|
HDL cholesterol |
Equal to or above 60 mg/dl |
|
Triglycerides |
Lower than 150 mg/dl |
If your total cholesterol level is higher than 200 mg/dl, it means you have a heart problem. This test helps identify good and bad cholesterol. LDL is the bad cholesterol in your body, and it can clog your arteries, causing a heart attack. These risks increase if your LDL is higher than 100 mg/dl and more than 70 mg/dl if you have heart disease. A low LDL level will protect you from these complications.
HDL, on the other hand, is good cholesterol. Doctors usually ask you to maintain at least 60 mg/dl. Unlike the different types, maintaining high HDL is preferable for your health. If this cholesterol lowers, your health concerns will increase. Finally, the triglyceride level is affected by low HDL and high LDL. It should be less than 150 mg/dl for a healthy lifestyle.
When to See a Doctor?
After taking a cholesterol level test and getting the reports, it is up to you to visit the doctor. If you have a high or unhealthy cholesterol count in your blood, it is advisable to take professional advice. Doctors are most likely to suggest new diets and physical activities. Apart from that, they might also recommend reducing your tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Therefore, a cholesterol test can be practical for finding out the possible chances of cholesterol problems in your blood. The right combination of good and bad cholesterol is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, doctors suggest taking this test at least once every five years. The wrong quantity of cholesterol might result in life-threatening health conditions.
What Steps to Take When Cholesterol Levels Are High?
If your cholesterol levels are elevated, it could increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular issues. Here’s what you can do to manage it effectively:
- Identify the Cause: High cholesterol can be due to poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, genetics, or underlying health conditions. Consult a doctor to determine the exact cause and get a tailored treatment plan.
- Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Include fiber-rich foods, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats (like olive oil & avocados) in your diet. Avoid processed foods, fried items, and trans fats that contribute to high cholesterol.
- Exercise Regularly: Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga. Exercise helps increase good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.
- Avoid Smoking & Alcohol: Smoking can lower good cholesterol, while excessive alcohol consumption can raise triglyceride levels. Limiting or quitting these habits can significantly improve heart health.
- Consider Health Insurance for Future Protection: Managing cholesterol is essential for long-term heart health. A comprehensive health insurance plan can cover regular health check-ups, doctor consultations, medications, and even treatments for heart-related conditions.