The Importance of a Cholesterol Check

A cholesterol check should be performed regularly to ensure cholesterol does not exist at dangerously high levels. The fatty lipid known as cholesterol is critical for your body's normal functioning. It is a key ingredient in the creation of hormones, cell membranes, and vitamin D. If you want to know how important a cholesterol check is, here are the details.

The importance of a cholesterol test

Cholesterol is present in the cells and in the blood. The liver manufactures the cholesterol in the body. A person can also get cholesterol from foods like dairy and eggs. Eating high-cholesterol foods can make the liver produce more cholesterol.

Excessive LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood makes a person at high risk for developing serious ailments like cardiovascular diseases. Elevated LDL also causes plaque buildup. Plaque can block the heart and cause a heart attack. A blockage in the brain can lead to peripheral artery disease and stroke.

Reasons for a cholesterol check

Most doctors order a cholesterol check as part of a routine physical exam. An increase in the number of checks is for people with a family history of heart disease. The patient can also have Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, a high-fat diet, or a sedentary lifestyle. Age can also be a factor.

Studies show that a person’s first cholesterol test should start between nine and 11 years of age. The checks should then happen every five years after the first test. Men ages 45-65 years old can have a cholesterol check every one to two years. The same applies to women ages 55-65 years old. Yearly cholesterol checks are for people over 65 years of age.

The value of cholesterol screening

Excessive bad cholesterol in the blood can cause it to stick inside the walls of blood vessels. The collection of plaque prevents healthy blood flow to the brain and heart. This could cause a stroke or a heart attack. A high level of cholesterol does not show in the way a person feels. Lifestyle changes and medications are effective ways to bring down cholesterol levels in the blood.

A cholesterol check can keep an eye on people who are in a specific age range. Individuals at least 40 years old are more vulnerable to complications from having high cholesterol. Regular cholesterol checks can keep the levels at acceptable levels. These tests can also make the patient aware of the levels.

Regular cholesterol screenings can also motivate the patient to make some lifestyle changes. This could push the LDLs out of the body and promote the increase in HDLs (good cholesterol). These screenings also give the patient an idea of what to eat or drink. The patient can choose low sodium, low-fat foods. Daily exercise can also burn stored fat. Regular or early cholesterol screenings can help detect the possible problems from high cholesterol levels before the issues worsen.

What a cholesterol check looks for

There are no clear signs and symptoms of high cholesterol. A doctor can order a complete cholesterol test to check if an individual’s cholesterol levels are high. The test also determines a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. A cholesterol check also includes the determination of the levels of fats in the blood. Here are the different types of fats in the blood:

• Triglycerides are stored fat in the cells.
• LDL cholesterol causes the buildup of plaque and leads to a stroke or heart attack
• Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol in the blood
• HDL helps sweep away LDL cholesterol and maintain a healthy blood flow

What happens during a cholesterol check

The lab technician uses a small needle to collect a blood sample from the patient’s arm. Blood will go straight into a vial or test tube. This may take about five minutes. The patient may experience a mild sting. This type of cholesterol check is often scheduled in the morning. The patient must not eat at least eight hours before the test.

An at-home cholesterol kit is a convenient way to check cholesterol levels. Brands vary but the same process happens. The kit comes with a lancet device capable of pricking a finger. The device will collect blood for the home test. Cholesterol levels are high if it is above 200 milligrams per deciliter.

A regular cholesterol check can help you achieve better health

There are no signs and symptoms of high cholesterol levels. That is why you should have a regular cholesterol check. This screening allows you to know what to do to bring down the levels. Working with your doctor can help you maintain good levels of HDL and low levels of LDL.

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