All About Cholesterol Tests

If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels it may be the right time for you to get a cholesterol test. These easy to perform blood test can be conducted by your selected physician and you can also buy over the counter variations of the test to do at home too. This test will clearly define your levels of cholesterol so that you can determine if you need to take additional measures to lower your levels. Since there really are no identifiable outward symptoms associated with higher levels of cholesterol, regular testing of your levels is always a good idea.

So what precisely are you testing for? Cholesterol builds up in the body from the foods that you consume; this substance is a fatty substance that is produced naturally by your liver as well. Lipoproteins help to transport cholesterol throughout your body via the blood stream. There are two types of these lipoproteins, low density, and high density. Those lipoproteins that are low density have been labeled as bad cholesterol and the high density lipoproteins are considered good forms of cholesterol. Low density lipoproteins at higher levels can increase your chances of developing cardiovascular conditions.

If you are consuming a diet that is relatively high in fat, you are going to want to take a cholesterol test. People that are overweight, that have diabetes, that have issues with their thyroid, or those individuals that consume alcohol in excess should also be regularly tested. The latter conditions can indeed contribute to increased amounts of low density lipoproteins in your blood. If you are over the age of 40, if you have cardiovascular issues in your familial history, if you smoke, live an inactive kind of lifestyle, have hypertension, or if you have kidney issues, again you will want to be tested.

A cholesterol test involves a simple prick of your finger and the blood is then assessed. Your total cholesterol level is then given to you. If you discover that your particular levels are high, then it is important that you talk with your doctor as soon as possible. You will need to make changes to your eating habits and there are medications you can take to help lower the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Your doctor may run more complex testing to assess the TC to HDL ratio of cholesterol in your body. A good result for this kind of blood test will involve a finding equivalent to a total cholesterol level of 5.0 mmol/l or less, a high density lipoprotein test of 1.2 mmol/l or over, or a low density lipoprotein level of 3.0 mmol or under.

If you continue on with high cholesterol levels without treatment you run the risk of developing some rather adverse health effects. High levels of low density lipoproteins over an extended period of time can cause fatty deposits to form and block your arteries. Your arteries may begin to form serious blockages and they can harden which will hinder blood flow in your body, particularly to your heart. You can develop conditions like angina or you can have a stroke or a heart attack if you do not take care of the situation.

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