This article has been updated July 7, 2017
Cholesterol is a compound similar to the fat found in body tissues - and plays a key role in the health of your heart. Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones and help your body digest food. So there are ranges of healthy and unhealthy cholesterol products.
Unfortunately, the only way to know if your cholesterol is within a healthy range is to have it tested. Learning about cholesterol bases, you can stay on track with healthy choices for the heart.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in the blood and all the cells of your body. Your liver naturally, and it also comes from the foods you eat, including animal products like:
- Meat, fish and poultry
- yolks egg
- Whole milk dairy
foods from plants like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds no cholesterol.
Your cholesterol
Your cholesterol is the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Your total cholesterol is made up of:
- HDL or "good" cholesterol . - A higher number is better, because HDL helps remove LDL or "bad" cholesterol in your blood
- LDL or "bad" cholesterol - .. A lower number is better because LDL is linked to plaque buildup in blood vessels
- triglycerides, a type of fat - .. a lower number is better, because triglycerides are also linked to plaque buildup in blood vessels
Get a cholesterol test
after 20 years, you should have a cholesterol test every four to six years. Your doctor may tell you to have yours checked more often if you have risk factors for heart disease.
Tests are usually held in the office of a doctor or other medical facility. Some communities offer free screenings at health fairs and other events.
Before your test, you will be asked not to eat or drink for several hours. During your test, a nurse or technician draws blood from your arm and your blood is then sent to a lab for testing. Usually you will get your results within a week
the results of cholesterol testing
Your results will fall into the following categories :.
- 0 mg / dL or less normal =
- 0-239 mg / dL = High Limit
- 240 mg / dL or more high
Having too much cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of heart disease, because cholesterol can build up inside your blood vessels in a plate shape called.
over time, plaque buildup can make blood vessels narrow, hard, or block completely. If the blood flow to your heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack; if blood flow to the brain is blocked, it can cause a stroke
High Cholesterol Treatment
Some people can lower cholesterol by changing their habits, including :.
- a healthy diet for the heart of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat or nonfat dairy products
- Get regular exercise [1945008depoids] Losing and maintaining a healthy weight
- quit
other people may need medication to help lower cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
For more information, visit the Heart Institute and UPMC vascular or contact us at 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484) .
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