Total Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a wax-like substance required by the body to function properly, but too much cholesterol leads to clogged arteries and coronary artery disease, according to the American Heart Association.
The amount of cholesterol in your body is typically estimated using a "total cholesterol test," also known as a lipid profile, which is a blood test that measures the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood. HDL cholesterol is considered "good" cholesterol, LDL cholesterol is considered "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides are a chemical form of fat found in the bloodstream. The test results can help determine risk for heart attack and stroke.
The Cholesterol Test
The total cholesterol test involves drawing blood from the back of the hand or inside the elbow in an individual who has fasted (avoiding all food and drink other than water) for nine to 12 hours. Those undergoing a total cholesterol test may be advised before the test to temporarily discontinue certain medications that can increase or decrease cholesterol levels.
A health care provider sterilizes the area with an antiseptic (e.g. alcohol), applies pressure to the upper arm using an elastic wrap to make the target vein swell, and inserts a needle into the vein to draw the blood into an airtight vial used to collect and store the blood for testing.
Pain associated with the needle stick is usually mild, with some people describing a slight prick or sting, and others describing moderate pain, according the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) launched by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
The needle is then removed from the arm, and the puncture site is bandaged in case slight bleeding occurs.
Difficulty obtaining a blood sample--due to small veins, for example--is a minor risk associated with total cholesterol testing. Other risks, which occur very rarely, include excessive bleeding, fainting or dizziness, hematoma (or an accumulation of blood under the skin at injection site), and infection at the injection site.
Target Cholesterol Values
The total cholesterol level in the collected blood is typically measured by laboratory testing. Values under 200 milligrams/deciliter of total cholesterol are desirable, while values from 200 to 239 milligrams/deciliter are considered borderline, and values of 240 milligrams/deciliter suggest a high risk for heart disease. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, someone with this level of total cholesterol has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease of those with levels less than 200 milligrams/deciliter.
However, total cholesterol is just one component of heart disease risk assessment; specific tests for high- and low-density lipoprotein levels may also be included to predict risk and determine if medical therapy is needed, according to information from the NCEP.
The NCEP recommends testing every five years, beginning at age 20.
