Unlike the other tests, blood cholesterol tests are not performed to diagnose or monitor disease. High cholesterol levels are usually not a sign that you have a particular disease, but indicates that you are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. High cholesterol levels are associated with risk of atherosclerosis, the risk of causing a narrowing or blockage of arteries throughout your body that trigger heart disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. Cholesterol test is part of an effort to prevent these problems.
When cholesterol test done?
High cholesterol usually causes no signs or symptoms, so you do not have to wait for any symptoms to take this test. If you are a healthy adult with no other heart disease risk factors, you are advised to take a cholesterol test at least once every five years. You may take only a total cholesterol test, not a full lipid profile. However, if your total cholesterol test results are high, you may need to follow up with a full lipid profile to determine levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides you. If you have a history of heart disease and high cholesterol levels in the past or have risk factors for heart disease, you need to test more often and take a full lipid profile. Risk factors for heart disease include:
- Smoke
- Age (male: 45 years and over, female: 55 years and over)
- Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease under age 55 in men or in women under age 65)
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Overweight or obese.
- Lipid profile may also be taken periodically to assess the success of lipid-lowering by lifestyle changes or medication.
Cholesterol test should be done when you are healthy. When you've just had a heart attack, have severe illnesses such as cancer or chronic infection, after undergoing surgery or a serious accident, you may lower blood cholesterol. You must wait at least 6 weeks after any illness to obtain precise measurements of cholesterol. Cholesterol is also high for a while during pregnancy. Women should wait at least six weeks after birth to get a cholesterol measurement.
How does cholesterol test done?
Before blood sampling, you will be asked to fast for about 10-12 hours, but no more than 16 hours. For this reason, cholesterol test is usually done in the morning after fasting overnight. During fasting, you should not drink the water and may also take regular medication (not drugs that can raise cholesterol levels like anabolic steroids, beta blockers, epinephrine, oral contraceptives, and vitamin D). If you have diabetes, you need to get your doctor's advice before fasting.
Blood samples were collected by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm. The result is then sent to a lab for analysis. When using portable gauges cholesterol, blood samples taken by pricking the skin enough at your fingertips. Cholesterol measurements in the laboratory usually gives more accurate results than with portable equipment.
Interpretation of test results
Your doctor will interpret your cholesterol test results taking into account other risk factors unique to you. Thus, the interpretation could be different for each person. In general, cholesterol is considered normal when it is below 200 mg / dL, moderate risk when 200-239 mg / dL, and high risk when 240 mg / dL or more.
Cholesterol levels fluctuate over time. The results of one-time measurement of cholesterol levels of cholesterol do not necessarily reflect the actual average. Therefore, the doctor may need to obtain two measurements of several weeks or months later to make sure your actual cholesterol level, especially if your total cholesterol above 240 mg / dL.
High cholesterol can also be a secondary condition caused by kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome, chronic liver disease or biliary tract disease. If your doctor suspects there are other disorders that cause abnormal cholesterol levels, he may recommend further tests to investigate. The new doctor can decide what to do after considering various factors.
Follow-up
For those of you who have high cholesterol, implement measures to lower it a lifestyle change. If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to lower cholesterol, the drugs are often prescribed by doctors. These drugs usually are specifically aimed at lowering LDL (bad cholesterol). Cholesterol-lowering drugs are the most widely used drugs known as statins (simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, etc.), but other drugs may also be prescribed. The doctor will consider your specific situation before giving the right medicine.
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