Cholesterol Tests: What do they reveal?

Cholesterol related health disorders are one of the primary causes of adult mortality in the United States.

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (source: www.pcrm.org):

• As many as 2200 adult Americans die of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) every day
• More than 7% of Americans have some form of CVD
• According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (source: www.cdc.gov):
• Nearly 31.7 % of the adult US population have high ‘bad cholesterol’ (LDL) levels. Out of this:
• 29.5 % have the condition in control
• 48.1 % are receiving treatment

Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, is regularly produced by the liver, and it is needed by the body, to generate specific hormones, Vitamin D, and bile. Cholesterol is also ingested from animal and plant products, consumed through food. Over time, cholesterol levels in the blood can build up to unhealthy levels. The excess cholesterol depositson the inner walls of the arteries, in the heart, and hardens over time. This restricts the flow of blood to the heart and triggers heart attacks.

Cholesterol levels, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and heart health are closely linked to each other. Doctors recommend that people above 40 years of age, undergo a cholesterol test, one every two years.

It is recommended that men undergo a Cholesterol Testbefore they turn 35 years of age, and women, before their 45thyear. People with high risk factors are advised to undergo the cholesterol test in their early 20s.

Risk Factors for High Cholesterol 

• Family background of high cholesterol, CVD or CHD (coronary heart disease)
• Slightly to excessively overweight
• Consumption of alcohol on a regular basis
• Sedentary or inactive lifestyle
• Desk job
• Smoking
• Suffering from Diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases, thyroid issues, or polycystic ovary syndrome

Purpose of the Cholesterol Test

The Cholesterol Test measures four primary types of lipids (or ‘fat’) in the blood:

• Total cholesterol: This is a function of the other three types mentioned below and is calculated as LDL + HDL + triglycerides/5
• LDL: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also called ‘bad cholesterol’ is attributed to health risks such as stroke,heart attack, and atherosclerosis. Ideally, LDL levels must be low.
• HDL: High-density lipoprotein (HDL), also called ‘good cholesterol’ is beneficial to heart health as it transports bad cholesterol to the liver where it is processed and then excreted from the body. Ideally, HDL levels must be high.
• Triglycerides: The food that we consume is converted into energy, which is required for functioning of the body. The excess calories not used by the body are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells of the body. People who are overweight or those who follow a sedentary lifestyle or consume unhealthy foods, have high levels of triglycerides.

Taking the Test

After a preliminary diagnosis, the physician may recommend that either Total Cholesterol + HDL be measured; or a full lipid profile of the patient be created (called ‘Lipid Panel’ test). In case of the former, the patient can eat or drink before the test. In case of a full lipid profile test, the patient cannot consume anything other than water 9-12 hours before the test. The test is usually conducted in the morning. A few ml of blood is drawn from the arm of the patient, and then diagnosed in a laboratory.

Next steps

Based on the test results, the doctor may infer that the lipid levels are either normal, or outside the healthy range. Subsequently, he/she may recommend other tests such as blood glucose and thyroid function tests to be conducted.

If you have a family history of high cholesterol, or match any of the risk factors mentioned above, contact your primary care physician, who will conductthese tests and recommend a comprehensive course of treatment. This may include changes to your diet, your lifestyle, and an exercise program that willregulate your cholesterol levels.