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Test Your Cholesterol Lately?

Published: Saturday, September 1, 2007

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, which aims to encourage people to “Know Your Cholesterol Numbers – Know Your Risk – Give Yourself Some TLC.” The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute utilizes cholesterol month as a chance to pass the message to people about having their cholesterol tested and people with high blood cholesterol should make lifestyle changes necessary for lowering it along with their risk of heart disease and stroke.

A total cholesterol test is a rough measure of all the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke. Some cholesterol is considered "good" and some is considered "bad." Different blood tests are needed to individually measure each type of cholesterol.

A cholesterol test often is done to determine your risk for coronary artery disease. High blood cholesterol and triglycerides have been linked to heart attack and stroke. Experts recommend that you have a complete cholesterol and triglycerides analysis every five years starting at age 20. The total cholesterol test is usually done as part of a lipid profile, which also checks for LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

What to Expect from Cholesterol Tests
The first thing you need to do is be prepared for the test by speaking with your physician’s office about specific instructions. They will tell you things such as no drinking anything for nine to 12 hours before the test. You may drink water but no coffee, tea or soda. You also may be instructed to stop taking medications and supplements that may affect the test. Always ask your doctor before stopping any medications.

Once the results are ready, your doctor’s office will call and speak with you about the results. If you have high cholesterol, you and your doctor must then create a plan to help lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease.

The total cholesterol values listed below are used to target necessary treatment.

• Desirable: Under 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
• Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL
• High risk: 240 mg/dL and higher

 

In general, a total cholesterol value over 200 mg/dL may mean you have a greater risk for heart disease. However, LDL levels are a better predictor of heart disease, and they determine how your high cholesterol should be treated.

High total cholesterol levels may be caused by the following factors.

• Biliary cirrhosis
• Familial hyperlipidemias
• High fat diet
• Hypothyroidism
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Uncontrolled diabetes
  

 

Low cholesterol levels may be caused by the following factors.

• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver disease
• Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• Malnutrition
• Pernicious anemia
• Sepsis 
  

 

To help you with your health, contact the 4 Your Heart Program, which is a preventive comprehensive cardiac health assessment that evaluates an individual’s risk of developing heart disease and educates him about the importance of knowing his numbers.

If you need to make an appointment with a Primary Care Provider, call 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737) or call your doctor.

For more information on heart disease and stroke, visit the Heart Lung Vascular Institute and Brain and Spine Institute.