Most blood cholesterol tests give the total cholesterol level. Knowing this level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease or stroke.
Usually a cholesterol test is done after a person has not eaten for several hours, often overnight. A simple blood draw is taken and tested. Blood cholesterol levels below 200 in middle-aged adults appear to be a good indication of a relatively low risk of coronary heart disease. Unless your level is high, you do not need to repeat this test very often. Adults over 20 years of age should have their blood cholesterol tested at least once every five years. It is also important to know what your HDL or "good" cholesterol level is. HDL cholesterol actually helps clear away 'bad' cholesterol from the blood vessels. 'Bad' cholesterol is called LDL.
Cholesterol is made by the body and is also present in food. Many parts of the body, such as the brain and the adrenal glands, depend on cholesterol for their proper function. However, cholesterol in excess can build up in places where it is harmful. Hereditary factors and too much saturated fat in the diet can cause harmful effects. It is the saturated fat in food that has the greatest effect on your blood cholesterol level.
One place where cholesterol causes trouble is in the walls of blood vessels. Too much blood cholesterol can make the blood vessel brittle or can block the flow of blood. Having unusually high levels of cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The risk of having a heart attack or stroke is reduced by lowering blood cholesterol. This is why knowing your cholesterol levels is important.
Public or private testing is available. A private test can be done with your healthcare provider. Public screenings may be held in schools, churches, community centers or neighborhood clinics. They should be provided at reasonable cost and at sites that ensure quality control procedures and privacy. Screenings should include reliable verbal and printed information about cholesterol levels from knowledgeable staff.
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