Cholesterol is a waxy material normally found in the blood. Some cholesterol is essential, but excessive amounts can increase your risk of heart disease. Your doctor will routinely measure its concentration in your blood as part of a lipid profile. Cholesterol can exist in several different forms and each component is typically measured individually to assess your coronary risk.
Step 1
Fast before the cholesterol test, according to your doctor's instructions. You'll typically need to fast for about 12 hours before giving blood for the cholesterol test to obtain accurate baseline values. You should also abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the test.
Step 2
Provide the blood sample. A health care provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to the testing laboratory for analysis. A lipid profile consists of a large number of specific cholesterol tests, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Step 3
Examine your total cholesterol level once you receive your lipid profile results. A total cholesterol level of 200mg per deciliter of blood (mg/dl) is desirable, 200 to 239mg/dl has a borderline risk of heart disease and a total cholesterol level of 240mg/dl or greater has a high coronary risk.
Step 4
Interpret your LDL level. The desired LDL level is below 100mg/dl, 100 to 129mg/dl is a near optimal level, 130 to 159mg/dl has a borderline risk and 160 to 189mg/dl has a high risk. An LDL level greater than 190mg/dl carries a very high risk for heart disease.
Step 5
Examine your HDL level. An HDL level greater than 60mg/dl is preferred, a level between 40 and 59mg/dl has a moderate risk and a level below 40mg/dl carries a major coronary risk.
