About Cholesterol Screening

It is important to understand the different types of cholesterol so that you understand the meaning behind the numbers from your cholesterol screening. Cholesterol is a waxy and soft substance similar to fat that is located in the bloodstream and cells of the body. You may have heard that there is "good" and "bad" cholesterol. Having too much of the "bad" (LDL) cholesterol is not heart healthy, but not having enough of the "good" cholesterol (HDL) is not either. Having too much of the LDL, or bad cholesterol, can result in plaque slowly building inside the walls of the arteries. When the plaque builds, the arteries become less flexible and narrower. Unfortunately, if a blood clot forms, it may block an artery that has narrowed, blocking the blood from reaching the heart or brain. A subsequent heart attack or stroke can follow. HDL, or the good cholesterol, is needed in appropriate amounts in order to protect against heart attacks. It is believed that HDL plays an important role in removing cholesterol and plaque buildup. Another type of cholesterol is triglycerides which is basically a fat made within the body. Lp(a) is another type of "bad"cholesterol. High levels of Lp(a) raise the risk of early development of fat deposits within the arteries. The latter can be measure through a Lipid Panel Cholesterol Screening.

Cholesterol screening is conducted by obtaining a small sample of blood from the vein in your arm. To be able to have all cholesterol levels checked, you will have to fast for 9 to 12 hours before the blood is drawn. Food, beverages and some medications such as beta blockers, oral contraceptives, vitamin D and anabolic steroids can have an impact on LDL (bad) and triglycerides levels, so to obtain an accurate reading for all cholesterol levels, the patient must fast.

Having a total cholesterol reading of less than 200 mg/dL puts a person at a lower risk for heart disease. A total cholesterol reading of 200-239 mg/dL means that you are at a Borderline High Risk for coronary heart disease. If your total cholesterol is above 240 mg/dL, you are at high risk (typically twice the risk of people with levels below 200) of developing heart disease. Regarding HDL, the "good" cholesterol, the higher the number, the better it is. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that levels less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women carries a higher risk for coronary heart disease. On the other hand, the lower the "bad" cholesterol (LDL), the better it is. Less than 100 mg/dL is ideal, while levels ranging from 130 to 159 mg/dL are considered borderline high. Once the level of LDL reaches the range of 160 to 189 mg/dL, you are considered to have a high risk for coronary heart disease, while a LDL number above 190 mg/dL puts you at a very high risk for heart disease.

The AHA recommends that cholesterol screening should be done once every five years for adults age 20 and older. However, if your total cholesterol is 200mg/DL or more, your HDL (good) cholesterol is less than 40 mg/dL, are a man over 45, are a woman over 50, or you have other major risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight/obesity, smoke, or are sedentary, then you should have cholesterol screening more frequently as your doctor recommends.

If your HDL is too low there are some simple things you can do to raise your HDL level without taking medications. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and exercising 30 to 60 minutes several days a week. The latter is because it is believed that having a sedentary lifestyle lowers the HDL cholesterol in the body. These same recommendations can be applied to help lower a high LDL level, however, your doctor may recommend cholesterol lowering medication in the 200-239 total cholesterol range and more likely if you have a cholesterol level 240 mg/dL and above. Eating a heart healthy diet can also lower your LDL which in turn can lower your total cholesterol.