Cholesterol Test
If you get a
cholesterol test, it will have a different
purpose to many other medical tests. That's because the results
are designed to help you prevent future problems. And since
heart disease is just one of the problems high cholesterol can
bring with it, it really is a good idea to think about getting
tested.
If you didn't already know
it, high cholesterol levels are associated
with health problems like hardening of the arteries, heart
disease. There's also a much higher risk of death from heart
attacks.
For those reasons alone it's
worth while trying to beat cholesterol. Cholesterol
testing is now considered a straightforward part of an
overall preventative health care regimen and although opinions
do vary, it seems that cholesterol testing is recommended every
3 to 5 years.
A cholesterol test done at
the same time as other tests like HDL and LDL levels is usually
called a lipid profile. Of course, if you are already on
cholesterol medication you may need testing
more frequently to see how you're doing. There are three major
risk categories :
Desirable: For results below 200 mg/dL that
would indicate a relatively low risk of heart disease.
Borderline: Any results in the region of 200
to 240 mg/dL indicates a moderate risk of developing heart
disease.
High Risk: Results above 240 mg/dL suggest
that you are in a high risk category and really should do
something about your cholesterol levels. Remember too, that the
ratio between your HDL and LDL levels will also give you an
indication of how serious the problem might be.
Testing for cholesterol isn't
difficult and it's not invasive so if you have any worries
about your cholesterol levels it's wise to discuss them with
your physician. He can arrange suitable testing and once you
have the results you'll know whether you need to make any
changes to your lifestyle.
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Learn the secrets that can help you have a
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