Cholesterol testing is used to estimate risk of developing heart disease. High blood cholesterol can indicate hardening of the arteries and an increased risk of death from a coronary event.
A cholesterol test is recommended for adults once every five years, as a routine part of preventative health care. This screening is frequently done in conjunction with other tests, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (lipid profile).
Cholesterol testing is done more frequently (a couple of times per year) for people who have been told to change their diet or who are taking drugs for management of undesirable levels. In this scenario, testing can track whether efforts are paying off.
What Test Results Mean
Desirable: below 200 mg/dL (low risk of heart disease)
Borderline High: 200 to 240 mg/dL (moderate risk)
High Risk: above 240 mg/dL (high risk)
If a cholesterol test reveals that you are “borderline high,” your doctor may decide to order a lipid profile to determine whether the high cholesterol is the dangerous LDL or the beneficial HDL.
What happens if cholesterol testing comes back as “high risk”? In this scenario, your doctor will order a lipid profile plus other tests to try to determine what has caused or is causing your high cholesterol.
If you trying to reduce levels, expect another cholesterol test. Repeated tests may be needed to see whether your cholesterol is decreasing. Your doctor will set a target value and this will most likely be based on your LDL.
Cholesterol Testing
Men over 40
Women over 50
Postmenopausal women
Overweight people
Smokers
Diabetics
Those with high blood pressure
People who have inherited risk factors
If a cholesterol test reveals unsatisfactory results, dietary changes can help and it is a good idea to consult with a nutritionist or a dietician who can help you to determine which foods to choose and how to cook using low-fat methods.
In the aftermath of cholesterol testing, there are other things you can do. Making exercise part of your regular routine can help, as can quitting smoking and reducing the amount of coffee you drink.
The benefits of plant compounds are increasingly being recognized. A natural supplement containing specific ingredients can help you in your efforts to normalize and lower undesirable cholesterol levels.
Vitamin E oil is a natural anti-oxidant, helping to prevent atherosclerosis. Green tea extract can help protect against heart disease. Beneficial polyphenols and catechins are abundant in green tea.
Lecithin oil is beneficial for people suffering from high cholesterol levels. It helps to suspend globs of fat in the body, thereby aiding in excretion. D-limonene is found in orange peel oil. It helps to dissolve cholesterol gallstones and can reduce cholesterol in a manner similar to tocotrienols.
Other substances such as policosanol, beta-sitosterol, chromium, selenium, inositol and pumpkin seed oil are found in natural supplements.
A cholesterol test and the results obtained can a warning of what may lie ahead. Implementing protective measures can reduce your risk and prevent future problems.
You need to discuss any dietary changes and use natural substances with your doctor, when attempting to adjust cholesterol levels. If your levels are on the higher side, cholesterol testing is one of the best things you can do for your health.
Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to a section of http://www.healthy-cholesterol-guide.com dedicated to natural treatments for high cholesterol and heart disease prevention.
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