Levels of cholesterol, a form of fat in the body, are routinely used by your physician to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. High levels of certain types of cholesterol correspond to greater deposition of fat along blood vessel walls. Lack of oxygen to the cardiac muscle due to blood vessel narrowing leads to cardiac cell death or a "heart attack." While not the sole predictor of coronary artery disease, cholesterol levels are a modifiable way of ascertaining and lowering your risk for critical cardiac disease.
Step 1
Obtain a fasting lipid profile from your primary care physician. This is a blood test taken 12 hours after you've eaten anything. Typically, this test is performed early in the morning after fasting since dinner on the previous day.
Step 2
Call your doctor for results in approximately two to three days, or make a follow-up appointment in one to two weeks to discuss your results.
Step 3
Calculate your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol if it isn't already calculated:
LDL = Total Cholesterol - (triglycerides/5) - HDL
Note: This equation will accurately estimate your LDL level if triglycerides are less than 400.
Step 4
Analyze your LDL level:
LDL < 100 mg/dL
This is an optimal level for everybody
LDL between 100 and 130 mg/dL
May indicate an increased risk of cardiac disease. Depending on your medical history (age, gender, tobacco use, blood pressure and family history), your doctor may recommend lifestyle modification or medication.
LDL > 160 mg/dL
This amount of LDL can benefit from lifestyle modification and/or medication.
Step 5
Analyze your HDL level:
HDL < 40 mg/dL
Indicates an increased risk of cardiac disease, especially in the younger (< 55 years of age) population. Lifestyle modification and/or medication may help lower this risk.
HDL between 40 and 60 mg/dL
Normal range for HDL
HDL > 60 mg/dL
This amount of HDL is protective against cardiac disease.
Tips and Warnings
- Current recommendations suggest obtaining a fasting lipid profile once every five years if you're over the age of 20. People with hypertension, diabetes, a known history of vascular disease or stroke and those with relatives who have suffered from coronary artery disease before the age of 50 warrant more frequent screening. "Nothing to eat or drink" includes coffee with milk and sugar. Eating or drinking before your test may cause falsely elevated results. Often, cholesterol levels can be significantly altered by making healthy lifestyle adaptations such as swapping processed grains for whole grains and introducing an exercise routine. While medications are also useful in lowering cholesterol levels, they are not without risks and side effects.
Things You'll Need
- Fasting lipid profile
- Calculator
