This is the simplest and least expensive test. The test doesn't require any sophisticated lab work, either. The simple, do-it-yourself home cholesterol tests measure total cholesterol. Think of total cholesterol as a first glimpse, a peek. Doctors are not supposed to make any treatment decisions based on this number alone. Cholesterol levels can be lowered by stress physical or psychological or infection. An injury, cancer, stroke , or heart attack may have the same effect.
So, if your cholesterol levels are unusually high or low, your doctor will probably want to repeat the test some weeks later. Abnormal readings may also lead to tests for other medical problems. HDL cholesterol. HDL wins its laurels as the "good" cholesterol because it sponges up cholesterol from blood vessel walls and ferries it to the liver for disposal.
In contrast, LDL deposits the harmful fat in vessel walls. An HDL level of 60 or above is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and below 40 is associated with a higher risk. LDL cholesterol. The LDL measurement is usually considered the most important for assessing risk and deciding on treatment. Think of HDL as the garbage trucks of the bloodstream. HDL cholesterol is often referred to as good, or protective, cholesterol. Triglycerides make up most of the fat that you eat and that travels through the bloodstream.
In general, the lower your LDL and the higher your HDL, the better your chances of preventing heart disease and other chronic conditions. The types and amount of carbohydrate in the diet also play a role. Cholesterol in food matters, too, but not nearly as much. For most people, the amount of cholesterol eaten has only a modest impact on the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood. Unfortunately, at this point there is no way other than by trial and error to identify responders from non-responders to dietary cholesterol.
Hu, F. N Engl J Med, Kratz, M. As a cardiologist, I have both bad and good news: Your cholesterol level does not matter! As you likely already know, cholesterol is a type of fat found within all cells and is free floating in blood on molecules called lipoproteins. Cholesterol carried by LDL can invade the walls of blood vessels and lead to inflammation within the walls of these blood vessels. In the head and neck, clogging or obstruction of an artery leads to stroke. Cholesterol lipoprotein levels within the bloodstream are determined by two main factors.
The first is the consumption of fats which alter levels of cholesterol metabolism: mainly saturated and trans-saturated fats. Saturated fats are found mainly within animal based foods such as fatty meat, butter, and cheese. Trans-saturated fats are found within processed foods such as margarine. In some cases it is not clear if low cholesterol causes the health problem or if it's the other way around.
For example, people with depression may have low cholesterol levels, but it has not been proved that lowering cholesterol with statin therapy causes depression. However, the benefits of lowering total and LDL cholesterol have been demonstrated extensively, particularly in individuals with heart disease or at high risk of heart disease or strokes.
If you're concerned about your cholesterol level, consult your doctor. If you're taking statins, don't stop without first consulting your doctor.
He or she can determine the cholesterol range most appropriate for you. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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