Cholesterol
and lipid tests
A cholesterol (or lipid
profile) test looks at the various levels of cholesterol and other fats in the
blood.
What is being tested?
The test measures different things:
- The total amount of cholesterol in the blood
- The level of HDL-cholesterol (often called good cholesterol)
- The level of LDL-cholesterol (often called bad cholesterol)
- Triglycerides (another type of fat in the body)
If you have a high level of LDL-cholesterol and
triglycerides, then you have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
If your levels of cholesterol and lipids go down,
then your risk goes down too.
How to prepare for this test
You will usually need to fast (not have any food and
only drink water) for between 8 and 12 hours before having this test. Most
people have the test in the morning so it doesn't interfere with their day and
their meals. Talk to your doctor about any medications you take.
Understanding your results
Cholesterol and lipid levels are just one thing
that’s taken into account when working out your risk of heart disease and
stroke. Your doctor will also look at other things such as your age or blood
pressure to calculate your risk.
There are specific guidelines for target cholesterol
levels in different people — talk to your doctor about this.
If your HDL levels are low and your LDL levels are
high, or your total cholesterol level is high, your doctor will likely talk with
you about how to to lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart
disease. These might include:
- quitting if you smoke
- keeping your weight in a healthy range
- limiting your alcohol and salt intake
- aiming for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days
Your doctor might suggest medication to
help keep your cholesterol in the healthy range. If you are on such
medication, you might need regular cholesterol tests to check that they are
working well and that you are taking the right dose.
ABO and most common blood types
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