The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are high is to have your blood cholesterol levels checked. High cholesterol can increase your chances for heart disease and certain types of cancer. As a general rule of thumb, the lower your cholesterol levels, the better. The problem is the results of cholesterol testing can vary. In order to get a more accurate picture of any cholesterol-related health risks, doctors usually assess HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in addition to measuring total cholesterol.
Step 1
Ask your doctor to order a fasting cholesterol test or lipoprotein analysis. This is the most complete test for diagnosing high cholesterol. A blood sample is taken to measure the different kinds of cholesterol present in your blood.
Step 2
Fast for 10 to 12 hours before the cholesterol test. Triglyceride levels can increase by as much as 30 percent after eating a meal. Do not drink alcohol, and avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to having the blood sample drawn.
Step 3
Get the results of your lipid profile from your physician or lab. A total cholesterol reading below 200 is normal. Values ranging between 200 and 239 mg/dL are thought to be borderline high. A cholesterol level of 240 or more is considered high.
Step 4
Calculate the total-cholesterol-to-HDL ratio by dividing your total cholesterol level by the HDL cholesterol level. The average risk for heart disease for men is a total-cholesterol-to-HDL ratio of 5. For women, a ratio of 4.4 is considered average risk, as women tend to have higher HDL levels than men. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, a higher cholesterol-to-HDL ratio increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Step 5
Calculate your LDL cholesterol level by dividing a triglyceride level below 400 mg/dL by 5. Add that number to your HDL cholesterol value. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends LDL cholesterol levels lower than 130, with an LDL level of 100 rated as the most favorable. Values greater than 160 are considered a high risk for heart disease. Likewise, the American Heart Association points out that a normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL. LDL level cannot be accurately computed using this formula if triglycerides are elevated above 400 mg/dL. Because high triglycerides in combination with other risk factors can make a person more prone to heart disease, further medical evaluation may be required to identify other metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Step 6
Discuss with your doctor what the numbers mean. An HDL level above 60 is good; a level below 40 puts you at risk. HDL, or good cholesterol, is mostly protein that helps to remove LDL, or bad cholesterol, from the blood. LDL is mostly fat and can clog the arteries.
Things You'll Need
- Doctor's order for a lipid profile
- Results of lipoprotein analysis
