According to the Mayo Clinic, getting a cholesterol test is important for those with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, have diabetes, are overweight or obese, eat a high-fat diet and are not physically active. Cholesterol testing should begin at age 20 and be repeated every five years, unless there are abnormal results that require testing more often. Cholesterol test values can help determine the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is usually measured with a fasting blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. A full lipid panel will check total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol and triglycerides.
How to Read Test Results
Step 1
According to the American Heart Association, total cholesterol values should be below 200 milligrams/deciliter, or mg/dl. Total cholesterol values between 200 and 239 mg/dl are considered borderline-high risk, while having a value equal to or great than 240 mg/dl is considered high risk and may have double the risk of heart disease. Total cholesterol is the sum of LDL and HDL cholesterol.
Step 2
Having high LDL cholesterol, the so-called "bad cholesterol," means increased risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, an optimal LDL level is 100 mg/dl or less. Having a value between 100 and 130 mg/dL is near optimal; 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high; 160 to 189 mg/dL is high; and any value equal to 190 mg/dL or high is very high. To help lower LDL cholesterol it is important to limit the amount of cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat in the diet.
Step 3
HDL cholesterol is the "good cholesterol" type, and raising this number may help lower the risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, an HDL level less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL or less in women increases the risk of heart disease. The goal is to have HDL levels higher than those values. For women, an HDL of 60 mg/dL may help lower the risk of heart disease. To help raise HDL values, do not smoke, be active at least 30 minutes most days and try to maintain a healthy weight.
Step 4
Triglycerides are a type of blood fat, and having elevated triglycerides over 150 mg/dL increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, which then increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The American Heart Association defines a value of 150 mg/dL or less as normal, 150 to 199 mg/dL as borderline high, 200 to 499 mg/dL as high and any value 500 mg/dL or greater as very high. To help lower triglycerides, limit alcohol to one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men, limit sugary drinks like soda and juice and try to maintain a healthy weight.
