Cholesterol in itself is not a bad thing. In fact, your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol every day to produce hormones, hold cells together and perform other functions. The American Heart Association states your liver and other cells produce about 75 percent of the cholesterol you need; the other 25 percent is ingested with foods in your diet. Excess cholesterol clogs the arteries and restricts blood flow, increasing the chance of developing heart disease. Women 20 years and older should have a cholesterol study every five years.
Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat, or lipid, that doesn't dissolve in the blood. It must attach to special protein molecules, called lipoproteins, to circulate around the body. The lipoproteins are either high-density or low-density, the difference being the amount of fat and protein attached to them. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is called the "good" cholesterol because it contains less fat and helps remove cholesterol from the body. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol because it's composed of mostly fat and causes plaques to build up inside artery walls.
Cholesterol Tests
Cholesterol levels are tested using a blood sample. It may be performed in your doctor's office or at a lab. MedlinePlus states women who are going to have their cholesterol tested must fast for nine to 12 hours prior to having the test. You will need to avoid all food and most beverages, including coffee, tea and soda. Ask your doctor about taking your medications with a glass of water. A complete cholesterol test will test your total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
Normal Levels
The normal cholesterol level for women is below 200 mg/dL, according to MayoClinic.com. Borderline high levels are 200 to 239 mg/dL and levels over 240 mg/dL are considered high. HDL levels over 60 mg/dL protect against heart disease, while women with levels under 50 mg/dL are at risk. LDL cholesterol levels are the most important for determining risk. If you have heart disease or are at high risk, your LDL levels should be kept under 70 mg/dL. If you are healthy, normal LDL levels are 100 to 129 mg/dL. LDL levels over 160 mg/dL are considered high.
Risk Factors
High cholesterol has no symptoms, but genetics can make you prone to developing it. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing heart disease. If you have one or more risk factors, your doctor will most likely check your cholesterol levels more frequently. Without a doubt, smoking increases your risk of developing heart disease. Women over 55 are more at risk. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of a female relative developing heart disease before age 65, you are also at higher risk.
