Our health is often the main concern to each of us, so understanding how our body works and knowing how to maintain it well can sometimes prevent a major crisis before it occurs. Knowledge of cholesterol will help you do this.

Cholesterol is normally present in your body and mainly produced by the liver, though, it is also influenced by some of the food products we use in our daily diet. It is not necessarily weight-based. It is common for slimmer people to have higher levels then those who are overweight.

Preventing High Levels of Cholesterol

Our body naturally needs cholesterol, so we are not looking to eliminate it, but merely to keep the right levels. Men and women have different cholesterol level requirements, which your doctor will be happy to explain you in detail.

Food items that increase cholesterol are red meat, egg yolks, and shellfish. To get a whole list, contact your doctor or check any online site specialized in this field.

There are many cholesterol medicines available on the market, but they should only be taken following your doctor’s advice. Another helpful product is a cholesterol monitor with which you can check your levels from the comfort of your home. You can read more about this in the cholesterol readings explained article.

Anyone can acquire such a device, and the whole family can use it with ease for in between doctor check-ups.

Cholesterol monitors come in different sizes. Some can be easily place it in a handbag or briefcase without attracting much attention. They are easy to use and the results are produced within minutes. This device is a must for those who suffer from high cholesterol and need to keep a regular check on its levels.

It is advised to check your cholesterol levels mainly after meals so you can determine if it has increased or not. This is a great investment for the entire family, everyone from the eldest to the youngest members will enjoy using the cholesterol monitor, and at the same time it will help improve their awareness of the subject and their health. It is never too early or too late to learn how to improve your health.

Taking control of your health is what we must all try to achieve, but it is up to us to improve and/or maintain our overall good health. Sometimes just exercising and eating well is not enough; take the time to listen, understand, and work with your body.

Answering:

When should I undergo a cholesterol blood test?
What would the results say about my health?
How many tests are there and which will give me the best results?

Unlike any other health tests, a cholesterol blood test does not diagnose a patient with a specific disease. Instead, the results refer more to the risks of developing a disease, namely, heart disease. A test is considered necessary in preventive health care because a high cholesterol results in accumulations of on the walls of the arteries which suppresses the blood flow and can later bring about heart attacks or strokes.

A cholesterol blood test is advised for all individuals who are over 20 years old. It is also recommended that they go through this test once every five years from thereon. However, for patients who have been given medications and strict diet, these tests are being done several times in one year.

Cholesterol tests look at the levels of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. These tests are also known as the lipoprotein profile. However, experts suggest that when you have a cholesterol test you should always include the direct measured LDL. Other tests may not be as precise as this method, although this test is often more expensive. Bear in mind, when considering the results that stress or acute illness can affect the numbers you receive. This is because the blood cholesterol level is temporarily low at these instances. A Cholesterol test should be done at least 6 weeks after any stressful time or illness or when a person is healthy, to obtain the most reliable result.

Some people believe that eating prior to getting a cholesterol blood test will have an impact on the triglyceride level which is a component of the total blood cholesterol number. An increase in the triglyceride level increases the total blood cholesterol number, thus your results will tell you that you have a higher risk of developing a heart disease. However, most experts say it is not necessary to fast just before a test. They say that a single meal does not influence the cholesterol level although long term eating habits do.

Having your level of cholesterol read is very important for your health. Cholesterol readings consist of total cholesterol, low level lipoprotein cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol), triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL cholesterol). When you are having your cholesterol level checked by your doctor you should have all 3 types checked. The desirable total cholesterol readings are 200mg/dL with a borderline limit of 200 mg/dL to 239mg/dL. You are at risk of developing heart disease if you have a total of 240mg/dL and above cholesterol reading.

LDL Cholesterol Levels

Low density lipoprotein is more commonly known as the "bad" cholesterol. At high levels it may cause deposits in the walls of the arteries which increases the risk of heart disease. The desirable LDL cholesterol level is below 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood or 200 mg/dL. The borderline limit of LDL is between 200-239mg/dL. It is dangerous if you have a LDL cholesterol level of above 240mg/dL.

HDL Cholesterol Levels

High density lipoprotein is the "good" cholesterol. High density lipoprotein washes away excess cholesterol from the tissues to the liver. The liver then breaks it down and it becomes part of the bile for removal. An HDL level of 40mg/dL is suggested. You must maintain your HDL level within 40mg/dL to 45mg/dL. It should not go below 40mg/dL. Levels above 60mg/dL are said to protect the heart and is beneficial to brain functions because it protects the cerebral blood vessels as well as coronary vessels.

Level of Triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of fat. It is accumulated as fat in our body that flows in the blood stream. Almost all of the fats in our diet are triglycerides. Triglycerides are one of the main factors of heart disease. At high levels, it thickens the blood and may possibly lead to heart attack or stroke due to blood clotting. It is best that you maintain your triglyceride level at 150 or below with a borderline limit of 150 to 199. It should not exceed 200.

In maintaining your cholesterol level, remember, there are no ideal cholesterol readings per se. They vary for each person. It will depend on the individual’s risk factor (family history, sex, health condition and age.). Though experts suggest that having a total of over 240mg/dL is an indication that a lifestyle change is needed, because having higher than this increases the risk of developing heart problems.

National guidelines recommended that those who have a high blood cholesterol level should be checked every 1 or 2 years.

Making Sense of Your Cholesterol Reading

If you are older than 20, then your doctor has probably already taken a cholesterol test as part of a physical exam. You have probably already had your cholesterol reading explained to you and, if necessary, have discussed any necessary changes to your lifestyle outlined. By now, you should understand how your cholesterol reading impacts your life. Where do you go from here? You learn as much as you can about cholesterol.

Cholesterol Numbers

Your cholesterol reading should have LDL levels under 100 for the best results and below 130 for good results. LDL is the bad cholesterol and you have to keep that number low. If your cholesterol reading shows LDL of 130 or above, your doctor has very likely suggested an improvement in diet or exercise.

Your cholesterol reading should have HDL levels above 60. HDL is the good cholesterol and you have to keep that number high. If you are a man and your HDL is below 40 – 50 for a woman – then your doctor has suggested ways to improve it. Your cholesterol reading for triglycerides should be under 150. Triglycerides are fats from excess calories, alcohol or sugar. They travel through your blood and can cause coronary artery disease. Your cholesterol reading should be below 200.

If you need to improve your cholesterol reading, you should be aware of the common misconceptions about cholesterol. It is important to avoid saturated fats and trans fats. There are butter substitutes that have very low levels of these kinds of fats, but most margarine isn’t among them. Look for specially labeled spreads but use all fats sparingly. Being overweight sometimes indicates high cholestrol.

That doesn’t mean however that thin people are safe from it. It really can be about the metabolism. If you are thin but eat cholesterol-rich foods or have a hereditary predisposition to high cholesterol, you will be much better off getting a test and knowing for sure.

Just because your doctor hasn’t mentioned high cholesterol, don’t assume you’re safe. Get tested and find out what your cholesterol reading means. If you think your doctor isn’t being proactive enough, double check the information on the Internet. To be on the safe side, adopt a low fat diet and exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. The label may say “low-cholesterol” but check the nutrition label too. Avoid saturated and trans fats.

Be sure to check the serving size. If it is half or a quarter the size you thought it was, remember to multiply calories and fat grams by that number to get a realistic idea. Some people believe that cholesterol isn’t a problem if you are taking cholesterol medication, if you are a woman or if you are young. All of those beliefs are wrong. The best thing you can do is find out the facts, take the test and understand your cholesterol reading.

Cholesterol Monitoring Devices

The importance of knowing your cholesterol levels cannot be overestimated. For someone with normal levels and no additional predictive factors pointing to a danger of high cholesterol, the few tests recommened by doctors should be sufficient. For someone 20 years or older, a test every 5 years is the suggested frequency, until the results start showing high cholesterol.

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If you have high levels and a condition that adds to the problem like diabetes or the need to take medication that raises cholesterol, more frequent tests are advised. If your cholesterol cannot be controlled by diet and exercise you are taking medication, you might want a more personal kind of cholesterol monitor.

Cholesterol Testing at Home

With the success of diabetes home monitoring, medical science has been developing cholesterol tests that can be administered at home to keep track of progress using a special monitor. Cholesterol levels can fluctuate on a daily basis. For those within the normal range, this isn’t a problem.

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When your cholesterol levels are regularly at levels that can be dangerous, it can be important to monitor changes so that you can see what is working and what isn’t in your treatment regimen.

For several years instruments like the home cholesterol monitor have been delivering reliable results using a drop of blood. The test takes just a few minutes and many of the devices will keep track of the time and date of the test and store the results. Such a tool can be helpful when a patient is trying a new regimen.

Improvements can be measured as exercise is increased or diet improved. As results become better, a patient may find encouragement between doctor’s visits and keep up the good work. This alone can be very important since beginning a diet and exercise program is demanding and high cholesterol can cause depression.

Several types of cholesterol monitor are miniature computers. This allows different kinds of information to be available. A device may be able to assess current readings in conjunction with other risk factors such as smoking. While the FDA accepts the accuracy of the new types of home cholesterol monitor, some insurance companies don’t accept the need for frequent testing and don’t cover the cost of the devices and their test strips.

The need for such tests can be determined by doctors on a case by case basis. If nothing else, they help a patient participate more fully in controlling the situation.