Cholesterol is the waxy substance that can build up in your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. A cholesterol blood test determines your cholesterol levels. After the age of 20, it is advisable to get one every five years; however, if you are at risk for high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend that you get tested more often. Once you receive your cholesterol reading, it is important to understand what your numbers mean so that you can determine your risks and any lifestyle changes from which you may benefit.
Step 1
Get your blood cholesterol levels checked by your doctor. Your doctor will take your blood and give you a lipid panel or lipid profile report.
Step 2
Review your lipid panel or lipid profile with your doctor. Ask your doctor specific questions regarding your numbers and what you can do to lower your numbers.
Step 3
Determine in what units of measurement your blood cholesterol is reported. In the United States, your blood cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams or cholesterol per deciliters of blood.
Step 4
Look for three numbers on your blood cholesterol report: First, find your total cholesterol level. Next, find your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol, which is the unhealthy cholesterol that contributes to an increased risk of heart disease. Then identify your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol, which is the healthy cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps remove excess LDL cholesterol from your blood.
Step 5
Determine where your total cholesterol levels fall. If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, then you are considered to have a healthy cholesterol level. Having a level between 200 and 239 mg/dL means that you cholesterol is borderline high and you need to make changes to start lowering your cholesterol levels. Total cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL are considered high and at this level, your risk of heart disease is twice as high as those with cholesterol levels in a normal range, notes the American Heart Association.
Step 6
Review your LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol between 70 mg/dL and 100 mg/dL is healthy. Having a LDL cholesterol level between 100 and 129 mg/dL is also considered healthy unless you are at high risk for heart disease -- then you should work for lower levels. LDL cholesterol levels between 130 and 159 mg/dL is considered borderline high and LDL levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL is considered high. If you LDL levels are above 190 mg/dL, this is very high.
Step 7
Review your HDL cholesterol levels. Having a HDL cholesterol level below 40 mg/dL for men is considered unhealthy and for women, HDL cholesterol levels below 50 mg/dL are unhealthy. Healthy HDL levels range between 50 to 59 mg/dL, but the best HDL cholesterol levels are above 60 mg/dL.
Step 8
Determine your cholesterol ratio. In addition to individual cholesterol levels and total cholesterol level, your cholesterol ratio is important to understand. Take your total LDL cholesterol level and divide it by your total HDL cholesterol level. This will give you a ratio such as 4 to 1. The lower the ratio the better it is because your HDL cholesterol keeps your LDL cholesterol levels in check. Determine how close your cholesterol ratio is to the optimum ratio of 3 1/2 to 1.
Tips and Warnings
- You doctor can best advise you as to how you can get your cholesterol levels into a healthy range.
Things You'll Need
- Blood cholesterol test
