WHY TEST FOR CHOLESTEROL & WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH THE RESULTS?

People know they have to test. People get results and get alarmed and then the test gets filed and the alarm bells fade away till next years blood test. So what should you do? From a Cholesterol point of view, let me break it down for you.

First Ask;

How much cholesterol you have floating around in your blood—and what types—can help you figure out your risk for heart disease?

Is it important to get your cholesterol tested periodically?

How often you should get tested depends on your risk for heart disease?

Are you at low risk for heart disease? Then you need a test every five years. If you're at higher risk, you'll need a test every two years. Ask your doctor which group you fall into.

Getting a cholesterol test is easy. All you need to do is have a tube's worth of blood drawn from your arm. Call us at +91 9743430000 and we can help a with home based sample collection.

The preparation, however, takes a little more effort. Food and drinks affect your cholesterol profile, so you have to fast for 12 hours to get accurate readings of your LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and triglyceride levels. You also need to avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test.

Wait for the tests to be delivered.

Understanding your test results

Quick guide to cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Total cholesterol level                         Total cholesterol category

Less than 200 mg/dL                              Desirable

200–239 mg/dL                                     Borderline high

240 mg/dL and above                            High                YOU NEED A DIET CONTROL!

LDL cholesterol level                          LDL cholesterol category

Less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL for people at high risk)      Optimal

100–129 mg/dL                                     Near optimal/above optimal

130–159 mg/dL                                     Borderline high

160–189 mg/dL                                     High

190 mg/dL and above                            Very high                    YOU NEED A DIET CONTROL!

HDL cholesterol level HDL cholesterol category

Less than 40 mg/dL       Low (representing risk)                        YOU NEED A DIET CONTROL!

60 mg/dL and above     High (heart-protective)

Triglyceride level        Triglyceride category

Less than 150 mg/dL                Normal

150–199 mg/dL                       Borderline high                        YOU NEED A DIET CONTROL!

200–499 mg/dL                       High                                        YOU NEED A DIET CONTROL!

500 mg/dL and above              Very high                                 YOU NEED A DIET CONTROL!

When discussing your cholesterol test results with your doctor, be sure to tell him or her if any of these three things apply to you:

• Did you have the flu or another illness shortly before the blood test? These events can have a dramatic effect on your cholesterol levels.
• Was your diet very different than normal in the weeks leading up to the cholesterol test? If so, tell your doctor. High levels of alcohol or carbohydrates can raise triglycerides.
• Did you forget to fast or sneak something to eat or drink before the test? Don't be embarrassed to say so. Otherwise, you could end up on a medication you don't need.

What next?

If your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides are borderline high, high, or very high, you and your doctor will talk about how to get your levels lower. 

Treatment may include:

• Changing your diet
• Exercising more
• Taking a cholesterol medication
• A combination of all of the above.

Before deciding on a treatment plan, though, your doctor will want to get a good picture of your heart health. He or she will likely check:

• Your blood pressure, to make sure it is in a healthy range.
• Your pulse, to make sure that your heartbeat is regular and forceful.
• The size of your thyroid gland, which can be determined by feeling your neck. An underactive or overactive thyroid can affect cholesterol levels.
• The pulses of the carotid arteries in your neck. Listening to the blood flow there can rule out any blockages.
• The pulses in your legs, which can fade away if there are significant blockages in any of the arteries that go to the feet.

If your doctor is concerned about anything he or she sees during the physical exam, you may be sent for lab tests or imaging procedures. These could include:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• A chest x-ray
• An echocardiogram (ultrasound picture of the heart)
• Tests of thyroid or kidney function
• Ultrasounds of the legs

With the results from your cholesterol test, your physical, and any lab or imaging tests you needed, your doctor will be able to recommend how you should treat your cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease.

DIET and NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION is one of the best and safest ways to reduce Cholesterol when the anomalies are caught early. Speak to our dietitians and they will help you Change the way you Feel!!