Why You Should Regularly Have Your Cholesterol Levels Tested

Cholesterol is a substance found in your blood's fats (lipids). High cholesterol levels in your blood can increase your heart disease and stroke risk. It is essential to get your cholesterol levels checked because if they are high, it increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.

A cholesterol screening can help you find out if you have high cholesterol. By knowing your cholesterol levels, you can take steps to keep them in a healthy range and lower your risk.

If you have high cholesterol, there are steps you can take to lower it. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and not smoking are good ways to keep your cholesterol levels down. You must discuss this with your doctor so that he can give you an online prescription.

When Should I Get Screened for High Cholesterol?

It means that about 1 in 5 teenagers and nearly 93 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, but since there are no symptoms, many people are unaware that their levels are high. It is fat found in the blood. Too much cholesterol causes heart disease. Checking cholesterol levels early in life can help prevent heart disease later in life.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have released new cholesterol management guidelines. The guidelines recommend that cholesterol management be based on a person's cardiovascular risk.

If your family history shows early heart attacks or cardiovascular disease, or if you suffer from obesity or diabetes, your doctor may recommend more frequent screening for high cholesterol. If you have not done so, kindly visit a reputable health and wellness clinic.

What Are the Factors of High Cholesterol?

Many factors can contribute to high cholesterol levels. These include diet, weight, genetics, and lifestyle. Making healthy choices regarding diet and lifestyle can help reduce the risk of high cholesterol. Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats can increase cholesterol levels, as can being overweight or obese.

Please note that a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to this problem. Certain medical conditions can also lead to high cholesterol. These include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease. Family history can play a role, as high cholesterol can be passed down from generation to generation. 

If you are concerned about cholesterol levels, immediately visit a health and wellness clinic. They can order a blood test to check your cholesterol levels and advise you on making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

What Do I Need to Know Before Getting Screened?

You may wonder whether you should get screened if you suspect high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol screening can help you, and your doctor understands your risk for heart disease and stroke. There following things you should know before getting screened for high cholesterol:

• Total cholesterol of less than 5mmol/L is normal.
• Triglycerides less than 2 mmol/L.
• LDL cholesterol less than 3.4 mmol/L is normal. LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol because it clogs your arteries. Thus, it leads to cardiovascular diseases or stroke.
• HDL cholesterol is also called “good” cholesterol. With that said, it is best to have over 1mmol/L. 

Conclusion

Having your cholesterol checked regularly is essential because high cholesterol levels can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Even if you feel healthy, it is crucial to get your cholesterol checked so that you can be sure that your levels are in a healthy range.