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Knowing what cholesterol can do to your body is important. It is also important to know what the tests that the doctor takes means and what the different levels of cholesterol mean to you. This helps you to stay ahead of the game and will help you if you ever decide to take a cholesterol test in the comfort of your own home.
There are three levels that doctors use to measure the total amount of blood cholesterol levels in the body; desirable, borderline high risk, and high risk. The test measures your HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels in milligrams. Remember that for each test no matter what the result is you should always be eating a healthy diet and have an exercise routine.
200 mg/dL and Less - Desirable
If you have received a score that is in this range than you are at a very low risk of contracting coronary heart disease (caused by high blood cholesterol levels). If high cholesterol or coronary heart disease runs in your family it is important to keep a close watch on your levels. Always go in for a test every five years.
200-239 mg/dL - Borderline High Risk
Just because the overall level falls within this range does not mean that you have high levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood stream. Doctors will check the individual amounts of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides levels and than evaluate each one. Some people have found that they have normal levels of LDL - but the high amount of HDL in their blood balanced things off. Even if this is true doctors will work at creating a treatment plan that will fit your lifestyle and body type. This requires a healthy diet, exercise, and cutting out anything that could be harmful (like smoking). If the LDL levels are high than the doctor may also put you on cholesterol medication. The doctor will tell you how often to come back for more tests to keep an eye on things. It may be more often than five years.
240 mg/dL and Higher - High Risk
People who fall within this range are twice as likely to contract coronary heart disease. The doctor will immediately take a fasting profile and will create a treatment plan that will fit your body type. More than likely you will be put on cholesterol medication along with a healthy diet and exercise. It is important to work fast in order to bring the level of LDL back down to normal.
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