Cholesterol levels should be tested at least every five years for anyone who is older than 20. The test to screen for cholesterol is usually done via blood tests is sometimes referred to as the”lipid profile. Experts suggest that people aged 35 and above and women who are 45 or over should be tested for issues with lipids more often.
Maintaining an appropriate cholesterol level is a great method to ensure that your heart is well. It decreases the likelihood of developing heart disease or suffering stroke.
All adults aged 20 and over is being cholesterol (and other risk factors which are common to all) checked every 4 and 6 years. If you are a victim of risk factors that place you at an extremely high-risk person or have coronary disease and/or heart disease, your doctor may recommend that you test your cholesterol regularly. Talk to your physician to determine the risk of having strokes and heart disease, and develop strategies to decrease the chance of developing.
How do you define cholesterol?
Cholesterol is an oily substance similar to the fat that can be found throughout the body.
The liver serves as the primary producer of cholesterol. It’s present in certain products, like dairy and meat. The body requires cholesterol for proper functioning. If you’ve got high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream there is a higher likelihood of suffering from coronary artery disease.
A total cholesterol level below 200 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) is considered to be normal for adults. The range of 200 to 239 mg/dL could be regarded as borderline high, however, an Arithmetic level of 240 mg/dL or over is considered to be high.LDL cholesterol levels must not exceed 100.
How can you determine the levels of cholesterol?
A blood test referred to as a lipoprotein panel can be an instrument to measure your cholesterol levels in yours. Before this test, you’ll need to fast (not drinking or eating any other beverages aside from water) for between 9 and 12 hours. Your blood results will come back with numbers. This is how you can find cholesterol levels.
The first thing you need to remember is the numbers alone don’t provide enough information to accurately estimate your risk for heart disease or figure out how you can lower the risk.
They’re only one aspect of a greater picture that also includes your age as well as your smoking history, blood pressure, and your use of blood pressure medication. Your doctor will make use of the data you supply to estimate your likelihood in the coming 10 years of developing serious heart issues.
The test will provide you with information regarding you.
- Total cholesterol is a measurement of the quantity of cholesterol within your blood. It is composed of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as well as HDL cholesterol. (HDL) cholesterol.
- LDL (bad) cholesterol is the main cause of cholesterol accumulation as well as obstruction of arterial
- HDL (good) cholesterol HDL aids in removing cholesterol from your arteries.
- Non-HDL is the total amount of cholesterol you have, which is less than that HDL. Non-HDL is composed of LDL as well as other cholesterol types like VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein).
- Triglycerides are a form of blood fat that can increase the chance of developing heart disease, particularly in women.
The test results reveal how much cholesterol have in milligrams/deciliter blood (mg/dL). Your total cholesterol level and HDL (good) cholesterol are just two of the factors that your doctor will examine to determine the risk you face for the next 10 years or the duration of your stroke or heart attack.
The doctor might also take into consideration other risk factors, such as the age of your family members, smoking or diabetes, and also have high blood pressure.
A lipid profile, sometimes known as a Lipid panel is a blood test that gives you details about the HDL (good) cholesterol levels as well as the levels of cholesterol within LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and the overall (or blood) cholesterol. (or serum) cholesterol levels.
What are my cholesterol levels refer to?
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams of deciliter (mg/dL). Below are levels of cholesterol you must be monitored in accordance with the gender and the age of your child.
Anyone age 19 or younger:
| Type of Cholesterol | Healthy Level |
| Total Cholesterol | less than 170 mg/dL |
| Non | HDL less than 120mg/dL |
| LDL | less than 100mg/dL |
| HDL | More than 45 mg/dL |
Age 20 and older:
| Type of Cholesterol | Healthy Level |
| Total Cholesterol | 125 to 200mg/dL |
| Non | HDL less than 130mg/dL |
| LDL | less than 100mg/dL |
| HDL | 40mg/dL or more |
Aged 20 and over:
| Type of Cholesterol | Healthy Level |
| Total Cholesterol | 125 to 200mg/dL |
| Non | HDL less than 130mg/dL |
| LDL | less than 100 mg/dL |
| HDL | 50mg/dL or more |
Triglycerides aren’t an actual form of cholesterol, however, they form a component of the lipoprotein test (the test that measures cholesterol levels). A normal amount of triglycerides is below 150 mg/dL. There might be a need to treat when you have triglyceride levels close to being excessive (150-199 mg/dL) or are extremely high (200 mg/dL or higher).
What is the best time to undergo an annual test for cholesterol?
It is important to note that the frequency, as well as time when you should take an assessment for cholesterol, is contingent on how old you are as well as your background as a family member. The general guidelines are:
for those aged less than 19 years old:
- The test’s first phase is expected to take place between the ages of 9 and 11.
- Children should be checked at least once every five years.
- Children may be screened from 2 years old when there’s an ancestral background, heart attack or stroke, or high cholesterol
Aged 20 or older:
- Adults who are in their teens must take the test at least every five years.
- Between 45 and 65, males and women who are 55 to 65 have to be tested each 1 to 2 years
LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol could build up in the walls of your blood vessels, increasing the chance of suffering from cardiovascular disease. This is the reason LDL cholesterol is usually mentioned in relation to “bad” cholesterol. If you can lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower risk that you are at.
When your cholesterol exceeds 190, it is thought to be elevated.
The doctor may suggest an additional statin to help you make better decisions in your life. Statins are medications that aid in the reduction of cholesterol levels.
The possibility that you’ll require an LDL-lowering medication if your levels are less than 191. After calculating your risk for the next 10 years, and then recommending to your doctor a number to strive to lower the level of your LDL by eating an exercise program, eating a balanced diet, and taking medications as needed.
HDL Cholesterol
For HDL cholesterol, it can be described as “good” cholesterol — and an increase in its number suggests less chance of developing. This is due to HDL cholesterol guards against heart diseases by taking the cholesterol referred to in the form of “bad” cholesterol out of the bloodstream and preventing it from accumulating within blood vessels. Statins may increase the quantity in HDL and exercise may aid in reducing it.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a popular kind of fat that can discover within your system. They are obtained from food sources and your body produces these.
Triglyceride amounts in the normal range can differ depending on the age of the person and their sex. People who have high triglycerides typically suffer from an increase in their total cholesterol as well as a higher cholesterol level also known as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels as well as inadequate HDL (good) cholesterol. A lot of those suffering from metabolic syndrome, also known as people with diabetes, have high levels of triglycerides.
Factors that could trigger an increase in the triglyceride levels
- Overweight or obesity
- The resistance to insulin or metabolic changes
- Diabetes mellitus in particular when it is associated with low glucose control
- drinking alcohol particularly when it is consumed to the point of being excessive
- Sugar consumption is excessive in particular due to processed items of food
- A high intake of saturated fats
- Hypothyroidism
- Kidney disease chronic
- Physical inactivity
- Pregnancy (especially during the final trimester)
- Inflammatory conditions (such as Rheumatoid Arthritis) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
What factors impact my cholesterol levels?
Numerous factors can affect your cholesterol level. Here are some ideas you can take to lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Your diet- The cholesterol and saturated fats found in the foods you eat can cause cholesterol levels in your blood to increase. The most important cause is saturated fat. The cholesterol you find in foods can also be a cause for concern. Reduced saturated fats from your food may lower your blood cholesterol levels. Foods that contain high levels of saturated fats include dairy products, meats, and chocolates baked goods, deep-fried products, and baked processed foods.
Weight- It is also a good idea to lose weight. Being overweight could be a higher risk factor for heart disease. In addition, it may increase the levels of cholesterol. Weight loss may lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, total cholesterol, and also the levels of triglycerides. In addition, it can increase amounts of HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Physical activity- Being inactive is a major risk cause of coronary heart disease. Regular exercise can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps in losing weight. Make sure you are physically active and train for at minimum 30 minutes most days in the day, if not every day.
Smoking cigarettes- Smoking cigarettes lowers the amount of HDL (good) cholesterol. HDL helps remove cholesterol that is harmful from your blood vessels.
Thus the lower HDL could lead to an increase in cholesterol that is unhealthy.
Things outside your control that may affect the levels of cholesterol include:
- The age of the user and their sexuality.
- Both men and women age the cholesterol levels of both increases. At the beginning of menopausal women, who are menopausal, are less likely to have elevated levels of cholesterol total than males similar to those in their later years. When menopausal symptoms start to manifest in females are able to detect cholesterol levels. These levels are known in the form of LDL (bad) cholesterol levels are likely to rise.
- Hierarchy. Your genes determine the amount of cholesterol produced by your body. High blood cholesterol is a normal characteristic that runs through families.
- race. Certain races are at risk of being increased risk of having the blood-cholesterol level high. For instance, African Americans typically have more HDL and LDL cholesterol levels than whites.
Can I lower the amount of cholesterol in my body?
Two ways to lower the cholesterol levels in your system:
Lifestyle changes can aid in improving heart health. This includes:
- A heart-healthy eating strategy. A heart-healthy program of exercise and diet will limit the amount of trans and saturated fats you consume. Examples are those who adhere to The Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet and the DASH eating program.
- Weight Management. If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
- Physical activity. Everyone should be exercising regularly (30 minutes per day) (if not every) on days).
- Controlling the effects of stress. Studies have shown that prolonged stress can lead to increased LDL cholesterol levels. This can may also decrease HDL cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol.
- Stop smoking. The less you smoke, the higher the amount that you have of HDL cholesterol. Because HDL assists in the elimination of LDL cholesterol inside your arterial walls. Furthermore having more HDL will lower the amount of cholesterol in the LDL category.
Drug Treatment- If your lifestyle changes on their own don’t reduce cholesterol enough, it’s possible that you’ll need to be taking medications. There is a wide range of cholesterol-lowering drugs available, including statins. They perform in various ways and may have different side effects. Talk to your doctor about which one is the right option best for your needs. If you’re taking medications to reduce cholesterol levels it is crucial to maintain your lifestyle changes.
Total blood (or blood) cholesterol
The portion that your test results will be a mix of types of tests. Your total cholesterol level could be determined by the result of adding together your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. Also, it includes 20 percent of your total triglyceride.
“Normal ranges” are less important than your overall risk of developing coronary health. As with HDL or LDL cholesterol, your blood cholesterol levels must be assessed in relation to additional risks.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If the tests you take reveal that you have elevated cholesterol levels, you may want to speak to your doctor about these issues when you next visit.
1. What are the dangers of a high level of cholesterol? Do other health problems arise?
2. What caused my cholesterol levels to be so elevated? Was it an inheritance problem?
3. Are there anything you could try in my home or anywhere else in my life to help lower your cholesterol?
4. Is medicine necessary? Do you have alternatives?
5. If the medicine is needed How will the medicine work?
6. How long should I take medications? What are possible side negative effects? Is long-term use of the medication harmful?
7. What can exercise do to lower the amount of cholesterol in my body?
8. Where can I find out more about living in a place with high cholesterol?
9. What changes could I do to how I consume food? Do I eat my food?
10. How often do I need to go to the doctor to have my cholesterol levels assessed?