Cholesterol is a type of fat. Cholesterol is an important requirement of our body as it helps in performing and supporting many important functions like producing new cells. Where low Cholesterol results in lower production of new cells required towards growth and smooth functioning of body, high cholesterol increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
The main reason for being diagnosed with high cholesterol is a result of eating wrong diet – A diet too full of saturated fats cholesterol. High cholesterol can also result from an inherited condition. Eating a healthy diet, continuing with physical activities and taking cholesterol-lowering medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
How would a person know if he or she has high cholesterol? A blood test can determine whether you have high cholesterol. Cholesterol measurement is done in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). This test can be done anytime. Post or pre-meal. You can get high cholesterol test done even ten minutes after having a snack.
Lipoprotein analysis also called fasting test is a kind of Cholesterol test that helps to measure total cholesterol including LDL (bad Cholesterol), HDL (good Cholesterol) and Triglycerides level. This test helps the doctor to treat the patient better. For example on the basis of this test the doctor can decide whether bringing a change in your diet can bring your cholesterol under control or will medicines have to be taken.
While visiting doctor to get cholesterol test done you should also find out if Low Thyroid is causing cholesterol problems. Also find out if you are at a potential risk of coronary artery blocks and heart attacks. You should also ask your doctor if CRP (C-Creative Protein Testing) testing would be helpful in deciding about the type of treatment you should take. Doctors generally recommend it themselves if they notice or diagnose that you are at risk for developing coronary artery disease. Also let your doctor know if you have a family history of high cholesterol.
Doctors recommend that everyone older than 20 years of age should be checked for high cholesterol on a regular basis.
