How And When To Have Cholesterol Checked?

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat or wax-like substance found in all the cells and blood. We get cholesterol, especially fats, from the diet we eat and from the liver. It plays an important part in making bile, hormones, cell membranes, and others. But an excess quantity of bad cholesterol creates health-related issues and various heart or cardiovascular illnesses. High cholesterol can damage the blood vessels and arteries. An unusually high level of harmful cholesterol builds up fatty substances and plaque, which can narrow the blood vessels and may hamper blood flow.

What Is A Cholesterol Or Lipid Profile Test?

Therefore, to know the correct status of cholesterol levels, a lipid profile test is often performed. A cholesterol test measures good and bad cholesterol, including specific fats. In the blood, cholesterol is found in two types of lipoproteins: HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein). LDL is known as the bad cholesterol, while HDL is the good cholesterol. The main purpose of screening cholesterol is to know the overall fat circulating in the blood. Hence, a full lipid profile shows the level of fats existing in the blood like HDL, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides. So, the risk of heart disease can be assessed by analyzing the levels of all such fats in the blood. An excessively high cholesterol level (LDL) can block blood flow. That is why a cholesterol or lipid profile test is needed.

How Is A Cholesterol Test Done?

A doctor may recommend a lipid profile test, if he finds someone at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Before the cholesterol test, a 12-hour fast is needed, which means not having food, beverages, or medication prior to the test. A health care professional withdraws the blood sample from the arm. The test is easy and simple to perform; only minor discomfort happens, which goes away quickly. A cholesterol blood test is often performed in the morning and requires overnight fasting. A sterilized needle is inserted in the vein of the arm to collect the blood. The entire procedure takes a few minutes to complete. After removing the needle, the puncture site is covered with antiseptic cotton for a while. A blood sample is collected in a vial and sent to the lab for further analysis to measure all the types of cholesterol and lipids. A cholesterol level is usually measured in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood).

Normal Values Of Measured Cholesterol In The Blood

A cholesterol test is also known as a lipid panel or a lipid profile test it is simply a blood test that normally measures the amount of circulating cholesterol in the human body. A cholesterol test measures the following types of fat or cholesterol in the blood:

• Total cholesterol: Normal range is below 200 mg/dL
• HDL (high density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol: More than 40 mg/dL
• LDL (low density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol: Normal range is below 100 mg/dL
• Triglycerides (fat): Normal range less is than 150 mg/dL

It is an important test that evaluates and thereby gives the privilege to control high cholesterol levels and prevent the risk of heart illnesses, including coronary heart disease.

When To Check The Cholesterol Level?

Adults who are more than 20 years old should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. And after age 40, the cholesterol profile should be checked every year. Apart from this, people who are at more risk or those who already have heart issues should be assessed frequently.

What Is The Right Time And Age To Screen For Blood Cholesterol?

Cholesterol screening should be done at an early age because sometimes adolescents and children can have unhealthy cholesterol levels due to their family history or any other risk factors, including obesity Every 1-2 years, men aged more than 45 and women aged more than 55 should get tested for cholesterol, and both genders above 65 years of age should get tested annually. Furthermore, if the initial or previous test results show an abnormality in the cholesterol levels, more frequent testing is required. More-frequent testing might be needed if your initial test results were abnormal or if you already have coronary artery disease, you're taking cholesterol-lowering medications or you're at higher risk of coronary artery disease.

Risk Factors Linked To High Cholesterol

As we already know, high cholesterol doesn’t show any symptoms. That's why it's vital to get it checked. A blood test is required to detect the cholesterol levels in the blood. More tests might be required if someone has coronary artery disease or has certain risk factors like:

• Overweight or obese
• A sedentary or physically inactive lifestyle
• High blood pressure or diabetes
• Drink and smoke excessively
• An inherited family history of heart attacks or high cholesterol levels
• Unhealthy food habits
• Already have a high cholesterol level

Get Tested And Take Initiative

If you are at high risk of heart disease or already have certain risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, you should take steps to determine your cholesterol levels and get tested.

Make An Appointment

Call Redcliffe Labs and schedule a slot for free home collection services, or log on and book a spot at the earliest at www.redcliffelabs.com. Redcliffe Labs offers all the tests that are available at an affordable range and follow all the protocols and standards. The company has many centres across India. All the labs are well equipped with the latest technology and equipment too. Disclaimer: The blog content has been posted as a piece of information and awareness only. The content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not proposed and should not be taken as medical advice. Redcliffe Labs strongly recommends users to consult with their health care providers to make any medical or health-related decision.