Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood to form a thick, hard deposit that can clog those blood vessels. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a blood vessel gets blocked, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
The main way to check your cholesterol level is to get a lipoprotein profile blood test. This simple blood test requires only a small sample of blood and provides information on:
The American Heart Association recommends adults age 20 or older have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. People with high cholesterol may need more frequent testing.
If your test shows elevated LDL or triglycerides, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and/or cholesterol-lowering medications like statins. Improving your diet, exercising more, quitting smoking, and losing weight if needed can all help optimize cholesterol levels.
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Here is a recap of key information on understanding cholesterol levels:
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