Even though it is estimated that 86 million people in the United States have high cholesterol, one-third of Americans claim that they have not gotten their cholesterol checked in the past five years.
To prevent heart disease and other serious health issues, it is of the utmost importance to have your cholesterol examined and to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol. On the other hand, it might be challenging to determine when to go ahead and what to believe about the outcomes.
In what ways can “bad cholesterol” pose a threat to your health? Should you be concerned if your total cholesterol level is almost at a dangerously high level? How much of a difference can you make in your levels by altering the foods you eat or the amount of exercise you get?
To learn more about cholesterol tests and how to properly handle them, we questioned experienced professionals.
The meaning of the word “cholesterol”
The liver is responsible for the production of cholesterol, which is a fatty molecule that is also referred to as a lipid. Without it, it is impossible to produce things like cell walls, hormones, and other things. When it comes to cholesterol, your liver is responsible for producing the majority of it. Because certain foods, such as meat and dairy products, have the potential to increase the amount of cholesterol that is present in your blood, you might be advised to forgo a meal or two before undergoing a cholesterol test.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of cholesterol are associated with the accumulation of plaque in the arteries and the gradual hardening of the walls of blood vessels over time. In the field of medicine, this condition is referred to as atherosclerosis. There is a possibility that the growth would eventually prevent your heart from receiving blood, which could result in a heart attack. Additionally, plaque has the potential to break off and spread to other areas of the body, which can even result in a stroke.
Before their arteries get extremely clogged, the majority of people are unaware that they have an issue with their arteries. According to Dr. John Wilkins, a professor of cardiology and epidemiology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, this is the reason why healthcare professionals analyze cholesterol levels to detect and treat cardiac problems at an earlier stage.
When is the best time to get your cholesterol measurement done?
According to the American Heart Association, individuals who are over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol examined every four to six years. You may require more frequent checkups if you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of cardiovascular disease.
On the other hand, cardiac diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent among younger people. If there is a strong family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that children as early as two years old begin getting their cholesterol examined. This recommendation applies to children who have a family history of both conditions. You are free to discuss the optimal time for you to undergo a test with your physician.
During a cholesterol test, what results are obtained?
A lipid panel, also known as a lipoprotein profile, is a type of blood test via which your physician can determine your cholesterol levels. During this examination, the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are precisely measured. Triglycerides are a form of fat that is mostly found in food and are responsible for the hardening of the arteries. The units of measurement for each of these are milligrams per deciliter.
There are times when the test will include VLDL, which is a type of lipoprotein that is responsible for transporting fats to various sections of the body.
It is referred to as apolipoprotein B or ApoB, and it is the particle that transports cholesterol throughout the bloodstream. Some individuals may also require a test for this. According to Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a preventive cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, this is regarded to be a more accurate technique to forecast the likelihood of having a heart attack, particularly if your LDL levels are moderately or slightly high. This is especially true if your LDL levels are moderately or slightly high.
You can utilize a few home instruments that require blood to be drawn from a finger prick to monitor your cholesterol levels. Even though you take one of these tests, you should still discuss the results with your primary care physician. You should try to get the test done in person if at all possible because it is believed to be more accurate.
What is the typical amount of cholesterol?
The concept of “normal” is contingent upon a variety of factors. In general, as people get older, their cholesterol levels tend to increase. It is more common for men to have greater levels throughout their lifetimes, but women are more likely to have higher levels during pregnancy or menopause phases of their lives. It is also possible for certain genes to alter the quantity of cholesterol that is produced by your body.
Your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the figure that you should be paying the most attention to. The “bad cholesterol” that can accumulate in your arteries is responsible for this condition. In most cases, the LDL level should be lower than 100 mg/dL; the lower the LDL level, the better.
According to Dr. Douglas Jacoby, the medical director of the Penn Medicine Center for Preventive Cardiology and Lipid Management, “People who already have diabetes, plaque buildup, or other things that make them more likely to get heart disease may need to keep their LDL below 70.” People who already have these conditions are more prone to develop heart disease.
The presence of high levels of triglycerides is also associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. It is in everyone’s best interest for these values to remain below 150 mg/dL.
HDL, which is also referred to as “good cholesterol,” is responsible for removing excess cholesterol from your arteries and transporting it to your liver, where it is then flushed out of your body. It is for this reason that most people believe that higher HDL readings are to their advantage. HDL levels should be higher than 40 mg/dL, and at the very least, they should be higher than 60 mg/dL.
Having a level of LDL or triglycerides that is considered to be “borderline high” can make it more difficult to determine the likelihood that you will develop heart disease. A physician may review some of the other figures that are included in your test result, such as your total cholesterol, which is calculated by adding your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as twenty percent of your total triglyceride level.
Perhaps the number that does not employ HDL is even more helpful. This reveals the proportion of total cholesterol that is composed of LDL and other particles that contribute to the obstruction of arteries. Since triglycerides are not included in this number, it may provide a more accurate representation of your cholesterol levels while you are eating normally as opposed to when you are fasting for a blood test.
It is also possible for medical professionals to examine your cholesterol level, which is calculated by adding together your total cholesterol and your HDL cholesterol. If the number is high, there is a greater likelihood that heart disease may occur.
Medications, what about them?
If you have suffered a heart attack or stroke, or if an ultrasound or angiography reveals that your arteries are severely obstructed, your physician may prescribe you medications that lower your cholesterol levels. As an additional recommendation, your physician may recommend that you take medication if your LDL cholesterol level is 190 mg/dL or above.
According to Dr. Wilkins, when it comes to the majority of other individuals, clinicians determine whether or not to offer a medication by taking into consideration their cholesterol levels, as well as their age, smoking history, family history of heart disease, and other considerations.
The most often used cholesterol medications are statins, which can reduce LDL cholesterol levels. According to Dr. Wilkins, it could take some time to search for the optimal medication and dosage. Statins are a medication that the majority of individuals will have to take for the rest of their lives. You run the risk of experiencing an increase in both your cholesterol levels and your risk of developing heart disease if you stop taking the medication.
Post Source: nytimes.com
