Cholesterol

A cholesterol test, also known as a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures the levels of various types of cholesterol and fats in your blood. This test helps assess your risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke.

Why It's Important:

1. Heart Health: Cholesterol and triglyceride levels can indicate your risk for heart disease and stroke. High LDL and low HDL are both risk factors.
2. Atherosclerosis: High levels of LDL cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis, which narrows and hardens the arteries, restricting blood flow.

• Adults aged 20 and older – It's recommended that adults have their cholesterol checked every 4-6 years as part of routine health care, especially if they don’t have any risk factors for heart disease.
• People with a family history of heart disease – If your parents or siblings have heart disease, it's important to get tested earlier and more frequently, as genetics can increase your risk.
• Those with high blood pressure (hypertension) – High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so people with this condition should have their cholesterol checked regularly.
• People with diabetes – Diabetes and high blood sugar can raise the risk of heart disease, making it important to monitor cholesterol levels.
• Those who smoke – Smoking damages blood vessels and raises your cholesterol levels, so smokers should get checked regularly.
• People who are overweight or obese – Carrying excess weight is linked to higher cholesterol levels, so weight management should go hand-in-hand with cholesterol monitoring.
• Older adults – As we age, our cholesterol levels tend to rise. Regular testing is advised, particularly after age 40.
• People with other conditions like kidney disease or thyroid disorders – These health conditions can impact cholesterol levels, so regular testing is recommended.

Results will usually be provided as the amount of cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

• Your healthcare provider will assess your results based on your age, gender, and risk factors (like family history, smoking, or diabetes) to determine whether you need treatment or lifestyle changes.

Interpretation for Total Cholesterol test?

Serum cholesterol is a blood test that can provide valuable information for the risk of coronary artery disease. This test can help determine your risk of the build-up of plaques in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body (atherosclerosis). High cholesterol levels usually don't cause any signs or symptoms, so a cholesterol test is an important tool. High cholesterol levels often are a significant risk factor for heart disease and important for diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia, atherosclerosis, hepatic and thyroid diseases.

Your doctor may also order sugar tests to check for diabetes and also check for an underactive thyroid that could lead to higher cholesterol levels.